Photo: (left) Zijad Bećirović, Talat Xhaferi, Bakhatyar Aljaf
LJUBLJANA, 10 February 2019 –Directors of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Assist. Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović and Bakhatyar Aljaf today received Talat Xhaferi, M.Sc., President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia (Sobranie).
Directors congratulated President Xhaferi on the achievements of the current Macedonian authorities, in particular on the signing of the accession protocol for NATO membership. They presented the work of the Institute in the Balkans and the Middle-East region and other current political, social and security developments. Special attention was paid to projects that are linked to Macedonia's full membership in NATO and EU and national reconciliation.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia Xhaferi presented the main priorities of Macedonia on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration and current events in the country. He particularly emphasized efforts to accelerate the country's progress towards membership in NATO and EU.
At the end the participants agreed that ensuring regional security, stability, peace and faster solution of main issues are crucial for faster way to EU membership, while respecting the set criteria and conditions.
The directors of the Institute invited President Xhaferi to hold a lecture at the institute on the topic of current events in Macedonia on its way to NATO and EU, which he accepted.
Ljubljana, 10 February 2019
