The state visit of Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova to Serbia culminated in a toast at a Serbian winery, BGNES reported.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic highlighted the "common traditions, culture and historical circumstances that link Serbia and North Macedonia."
"It was with undisguised pride that I presented the excellent wines that Serbia has to offer to President Silanovska. Lunch in the authentic atmosphere of the Aleksic winery was an occasion for informal conversations and tasting top wines from their cellar. We thank the Aleksic family for their hospitality and for representing our country in the best way," Vucic wrote on Facebook.
"I talked with my dear guest and the hosts about joint opportunities in viticulture and tourism. I am convinced that Serbia and North Macedonia can offer a lot to everyone in these areas," he added.
Vucic outlined Belgrade's objective:
"I am sure that Serbia and North Macedonia will develop the closest possible relations, that we will carefully build them with mutual respect, and that we will work on concrete projects. We also talked about all other political issues, from the European path to everything we are facing. I am confident that our trade will grow over the next two years and that we will do much more together."
The Serbian head of state pointed out that Gordana Siljanovska "should feel at home in Serbia because she is always welcome here (in Belgrade - ed.)."
"I would like to congratulate the citizens of Serbia and North Macedonia on today's holiday. Ilinden is a great holiday for the Macedonian people and I wish them to celebrate it for many more years, decades and centuries," Vucic added.
Earlier, the Macedonian president said that Skopje and Belgrade are "good neighbours in the true sense of the word". The two heads of state visited the monastery of St. Prohor of Pcinski, which is located in Serbia, near the village of Starac, 3 km from the border with North Macedonia. In the monastery on August 2, 1944 (then celebrated Ilinden in the new style, ed.) gathered the pro-Serbian forces and envoys of the former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito. At this assembly, known as the ASNOM (Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People's Liberation of Macedonia), a decision was made to "establish a Macedonian language, alphabet, nation". | BGNES
