Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met with Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka at the Villa Biljana in Ohrid on Wednesday.
Siljanovska-Davkova and Macinka concluded that Macedonian-Czech relations are built on traditional friendship, based on mutual respect and understanding. The two see the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius as an invaluable common heritage with strong unifying potential, the President’s Office said in a press release.
Talks focused on the country’s, as well as the Western Balkans’ prolonged EU bid. Siljanovska-Davkova pointed out that the two-decade status as EU candidate country does not stem from non-alignment with European law and practice, but from neighbor-imposed blockades rooted in irrational identity issues.
She noted that the European integration of the Western Balkans is not only a political and technical, but also a European security issue.
Deputy PM Macinka says the country’s place is in the European Union. According to him, the Czech Republic needs allies with a similar past, mindset and culture.
The Macedonian head of state extended gratitude for the Czech principled and ongoing support expressed through the Friends of Enlargement initiative, as well as through the Czech Republic’s engagement within the Visegrad Group and the Slavkov format. Interlocutors expressed confidence that fruitful cooperation in economy, tourism, science and education will continue, expand and strengthen.
