27. Jan 2022.

Selakovic and Pendarovski discuss fostering good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic met today in Skopje with President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski on the occasion of Saint Sava Day, which is marked in that country as the national day of Serbs.

"This year, due to Covid-19, the Republic of North Macedonia is the only country in the region in which the celebration of St. Sava's Day and the Saint Sava Academy are being organized for the Serbian minority. That was the reason for the meeting with President Pendarovski, which took place in a warm, friendly and festive atmosphere", Selakovic stated after the meeting.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy added that they also talked about what the two countries could do to improve the position of persons belonging to national minorities, both in Serbia and in North Macedonia.

“I wish to thank President Pendarovski for his helpfulness, for the willingness to hold a meeting like this, and it is up to us to foster the good-neighbourly relations with North Macedonia”, Selakovic said.

He added that the deepening of economic cooperation and the importance of the "Open Balkan" initiative were also discussed at the meeting.

"Our focus is on mutual respect, fostering friendly and good-neighbourly relations, but also on deepening our cooperation in all fields, with a serious emphasis on economic cooperation", Selakovic said.

In addition to Minister Selakovic, the meeting with the President of North Macedonia was also attended by President of the Republic of Srpska Zeljka Cvijanovic and representatives of the Serbian community in North Macedonia.

This evening in Skopje, Minister Selakovic will also speak at the Saint Sava Academy held at the Macedonian National Theatre on the occasion of the National Day of Serbs in North Macedonia.