The governments of Macedonia and Serbia held a joint session in Skopje on Monday that ended with the two countries signing seven cooperation agreements. The two governments signed agreements on cooperation in business, tourism, science and education, culture, sustainable development and environmental protection, as well as an agreement on establishing border procedures for the Tabanovci-Presevo railway crossing and an agreement on holding foreign affairs consultations in 2015-16.
Prime Ministers of Macedonia and Serbia, Mr. Gruevski and Mr. Vucic“We not only came up with seven agreements, but also with a number of projects that we must finalise, some this year, some in 2016. We have managed to establish mutual interests in all fields”, the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said after the session which was attended by 10 out of 16 Serbian ministers.
The two countries discussed European integration, regional cooperation, new infrastructure projects, including a rail link to Greece, and gas supplies, as well as the idea of opening joint diplomatic and consular missions in some countries.
The Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that the Serbian government visit was proof of good relations between the two neighbouring countries and a basis for closer economic cooperation. “We had a productive session and I believe that the contracts we have signed will bring benefits to both countries,” Gruevski said.
This was the second joint session held by the Macedonian and Serbian governments since the Progressive Party took power in Serbia in 2012. The first joint session was held in 2013 in Belgrade.
Highlight on health: The Governments of Macedonia and Serbia joint session was used for a separate bilateral meeting of the Macedonian Minister of Health, Mr. Nikola Todorov and his colleague, Dr. Zvonimir Lonchar, Serbian Minister of Health.
Macedonian and Serbian Ministers of Health, Mr. Todorov and Mr. LoncharThe two Ministers discussed further improvement of the already good bilateral collaboration, in a friendly atmosphere. Minister Lonchar emphasized their commitment to introducing e-health, the area where Macedonia has already very much advanced. They agreed that the Serbian technical experts visit next week Macedonia over technical discussion with their Macedonian colleagues on the e-health topic and presentation of the Macedonian experience.
Minister Todorov informed his colleague of the interest in further education (specialization) and training in health abroad. Minister Lonchar supported this endeavor and offered 10 specializations for Macedonian doctors, under the same conditions for the Serbian doctors.
Minister Todorov further offered an initiative for joint participation at the pharmaceutical market (joint procurement of vaccines), which was accepted by Minister Lonchar and was also presented at the two Governments’ joint session.
