Prishtina, November 18, 2024
Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Hristijan Mickoski,
Honorable First Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Izet Mexhiti,
Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers of North Macedonia,
Honorable Deputy Prime Ministers of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable ministerial members of both our government cabinets,
It’s a pleasure and privilege to welcome everyone to Pristina for our second intergovernmental meeting.
Allow me to begin this meeting by highlighting a crucial point: The Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia have no disputes. We have open communication and extensive collaboration.
We are neighbors, friends, and partners, connected not only through trade, which is constantly increasing, but also through the ties between our families and businesses that are continually strengthening.
Today’s meeting also holds symbolic significance, as it coincides with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Over these years, we have signed more than 50 agreements and memorandums, which have brought us even closer together, but what we need to emphasize more is their full and precise implementation.
Today we will further advance this progress by signing two memorandums and a protocol in important areas such as: energy, education, and the facilitation of free movement.
The good relations between our two countries are also reflected in the continuous increase in trade, which reached over 432 million euros in 2023, an extraordinary increase of 52% compared to 2019, when it stood at 284 million euros. Additionally, the trade exchange in terms of exports from Kosovo to North Macedonia has also increased, from 44 million in the first pre-pandemic year of 2019, to 121 million in the past year 2023, a rise of 175 percent.
The increase in trade exchanges between our two countries is also reflected in the growth of the mobility of our citizens. Between January 1st and November 1st of this year, almost 5 million border crossings have been recorded in both directions—a significant increase from the 3.5 million recorded in 2019.
One of the main outcomes of today’s meeting will be the signing of the technical protocol, which stems from the agreement on joint border crossings.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, the entry-entry model will be applied at two border locations—Hani i Elezit/Bllacë and Jazhincë/Glloboqicë—where our police officers will collaborate in a single facility. This cooperation will reduce waiting times at the border and facilitate the free movement of our citizens.
Together, we are also improving the border infrastructure and building new roads, which strengthen connections among citizens and enhance economic prosperity for our two countries.
In this regard, we welcome the completion of the highway construction from Bllaca to Skopje, finally, the remaining 10 kilometers, which will connect the highway network in North Macedonia with the “Arbën Xhaferi” highway in Kosovo, and together commit to realizing the tunnel that connects Prizren with Tetovo, an engagement already undertaken by our two countries.
Besides other factors, in the context of the free market language, knowing that, despite the roads being in poor condition, the traffic of people and goods today is so significant, the expansion and enhancement of the roads that link us is a responsibility in response to economic demand. Therefore, investing in an area where the return is absolutely certain is a logical and strategic move.
Since our first intergovernmental meeting in September 2021, we have made progress in security and defense, as well as in education, culture, health, and environment, but it is time to do even more, even faster.
Being neighbors with a shared border, our security is intertwined. Nowadays, cooperation in security issues is more crucial than ever. Organized crime and interventions by malicious actors pose a threat to our countries and the region. Together, we can effectively address these challenges and overcome them through joint commitment.
We need to work together to strengthen regional cooperation. In this regard, the Berlin Process is the framework that not only unites the entire region but also brings us closer to the European Union. This process, at the last Summit where I was together with Prime Minister Mickoski in Berlin, gave life to the Regional Common Market, at the Summit on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, and this is now connected with the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Our two republics have much in common, but what stands above the rest is certainly the aspiration to join the European Union and to contribute to peace through the North Atlantic alliance, NATO.
North Macedonia is already a member of NATO, and we are making progress towards this goal, as we have NATO integrated in Kosovo. We appreciate North Macedonia’s support for Kosovo’s membership in NATO and for supporting membership in international organizations.
The journey towards membership in the European Union, towards democratic advancement and economic growth, is a shared journey and we congratulate you, esteemed Prime Minister Mickoski, and all of you ministers of the government cabinet for the important reforms you have undertaken in this direction. We are aware that reforms are not easy. Such efforts require commitment and steadfast dedication to democratic values and the rule of law, but when work is carried out with integrity, honesty, and always adhering to the law, results are never absent.
Together, we can support each other, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences.
While we make progress on reforms towards the European Union, let us remain vigilant about the risks surrounding us. Our region has actors who serve ill-intentioned powers and superpowers, aiming to stop progress and pull the region back, not permitting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law to be our fundamental values, as we want.
Therefore, it is crucial that we maintain our clear strategic orientation, an orientation that aligns with our shared aspirations for integration into NATO and the EU. We believe in the principles that lie at the heart of NATO and the EU, namely democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Both our countries have aligned their foreign and security policy with that of the European Union and the United States of America and remain steadfast in this direction.
We continually oppose Russia’s unprovoked and illegal military aggression towards Ukraine and make sure it does not affect our region.
We regard North Macedonia as a friendly nation, linked to us not only by geography but also by our common values and people.
We should view the Albanians of North Macedonia as an added value, as unparalleled bridges for closer and stronger cooperation between our two republics.
Respecting the rights of citizens without distinction of national affiliation based on the best European standards is a duty of both Kosovo and North Macedonia, as well as our commitment as two democratic countries aspiring to join the European Union. Collaboration and coordination between us, besides being necessary as neighboring states, is also essential due to the interconnection of our citizens.
Though we are two separate states, we remain neighbors and belong to the same region.
I wish you ever greater success in the good work you do in implementing the government program for citizens without distinction and thank you for your commitment to strengthening the ties between our countries. I look forward to working together to deepen this cooperation and strengthen the partnership in the interest of our countries, citizens, and the region.
Thank you, Prime Minister Mickoski, thank you all.
Last modified: November 20, 2024