On 16 January, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries, defence and economic cooperation, support for Ukraine, as well as North Macedonia's integration into the European Union (EU). The meeting took place on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
President E. Rinkēvičs welcomed the positive and friendly bilateral relations between Latvia and North Macedonia, as well as North Macedonia's contribution to strengthening Latvia's security. "I am grateful for the participation of North Macedonia in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia, which is essential for strengthening national and regional security. I am pleased with the active political dialogue and close cooperation between Latvia and North Macedonia both bilaterally and within international organisations. I believe that airBaltic's decision to launch direct flights from Riga to Skopje in May of this year will boost political and economic cooperation," said E. Rinkēvičs.
The President of Latvia underscored the importance of European integration, welcomed the progress made by North Macedonia in implementing reforms and fully acceding to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including sanctions against Russia. "The enlargement process must be based on criteria. North Macedonia, like any other country, should be able to commence enlargement negotiations as soon as the respective criteria are met," E. Rinkēvičs said. The President also acknowledged that the Western Balkan countries face various challenges which will require our collective engagement and support.
President Rinkēvičs emphasised the need to continue to support Ukraine by providing it with all of the necessary military assistance, as well as by facilitating the implementation of reforms and advancing Euro-integration. At the same time, E. Rinkēvičs expressed his conviction that active efforts should continue to ensure that Russia bears total and comprehensive responsibility for war crimes and the crime of aggression.
