Only the European Union can help for a new ambiance in our region. Therefore, EU integration is the thing that changes our reality, was concluded at today's meeting in Tirana of the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama.

We know the past of all of us who have lived in the Balkans, but for the first time, there is something that unites us for the future. The European idea is the one that from a future point of view, unites us to work in the present and meet European standards, principles and criteria. This will leave less room for those who do not think well of the peoples in the Balkans, certainly, if we are consistent with the European agenda", President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Rama discussed at the meeting the fulfillment of the obligations of both countries towards their minorities.

"We have talked about the contribution of the Albanians living in Macedonia and the Macedonians living in Albania and concluded that we live in a time when no one can block the communication between people and their interests", the Macedonian President said.

In this context, he added that the generation to come should be offered new infrastructure, new roads, corridors, optic cables, power lines, pipelines.

"We owe that to the generations to come. We will be remembered by what we do today for them", President Ivanov stressed.

The Albanian Prime Minister said that strengthening relations and cooperation between the two governments is of vital importance.

"A new era of opportunity is opened after the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. This creates opportunities for all countries in the region in view of further mutual cooperation", Prime Minister Rama said.

He added that they talked about respecting the mechanisms agreed with international partners about good coexistence between Macedonians and Albanians in Macedonia.

"At the meeting, the President of the Republic of Macedonia expressed his concern and his request a greater attention to be paid to the Macedonian minority in Albania. I have received this message not only as an obligation of the government to take care of all minorities in Albania, but also as an expression of the fact that we can not ask something we can not fulfill and afford", Albanian Prime Minister said.
He underlined that joint efforts can contribute to advance and improve the established cooperation as quickly as possible.

"But, at the same time, this will be done strictly by implementing the mechanisms aimed at ensuring coexistence between Macedonians and Albanians", Rama said.

President Ivanov last night in the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia to Tirana held a meeting with representatives of the Macedonian minority.