Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Meeting of President Xhaferi with Mr. Attila Mesterhazy, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
On the occasion of the solemn session of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, which adopted the Law on Ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty, the Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi met with Mr. Atilla Mesterhazy, Acting President of the NATO PA, who along with Ms. Ruxandra Popa, Secretary General of the NATO PA, were official guests at the session.
President Xhaferi underlined the historic moment he shares today together with the presidents and representatives of the parliaments of NATO member states, which are close neighbors of the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as with the ambassadors of all NATO member states. He stressed that the Republic of North Macedonia is a veteran in the process of joining NATO, and the completion of our nearly three-decade NATO reform agenda will mark the beginning of a new era in the Alliance, along with the other 29 Member States. The Republic of North Macedonia is ready to share its fundamental values and to actively contribute to world peace and security. 
The Republic of North Macedonia is a record holder on two grounds: after drafting 18 annual plans so far, but also for the speed with which the ratification process of the Protocol on our Membership in the national parliaments of Alliance member states has proceeded, emphasized President Xhaferi. He expressed hope that after the ratification process in the Kingdom of Spain, the country would soon become the 30th member of NATO.
Mr. Mesterhazi described this day as a historic day for the country, which is a legacy, but also fortune for the present and all future generations of the Republic of North Macedonia. He welcomed the country's 
participation in NATO missions as an active stakeholder, which is of interest not only to member states but also contributes to the stability, prosperity and peace of the entire region. Regarding the EU, he evaluated France's actions as a mistake, stressing that it should be corrected as soon as possible, because defocusing the interest from Western Balkans opens up opportunities for third-party influences that do not contribute to the security of countries in this environment.
Both interlocutors agreed that the Parliamentary Delegation of the Republic of North Macedonian in NATO PA would soon be able to enjoy the benefits and practice the obligations arising from our membership in the Alliance, and that mutual cooperation would continue and be intensified in the future.