SKOPJE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) cannot be considered complete without the entry of the Western Balkan countries, including North Macedonia, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella said here on Friday.
"The European Union is our common future," Mattarella, who is on a two-day official visit to North Macedonia, told journalists after meeting his hosts. "We need (the Western Balkan states) to join to have a truly integrated continent."
He praised North Macedonia for its patience and efforts to overcome the difficulties and further improve relations with its neighbors, adding that these efforts ensured the start of membership talks with the EU.
Mattarella confirmed that Italy will be alongside North Macedonia on its path.
North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski thanked Mattarella for Italy's unwavering support.
"During our conversation, I emphasized that North Macedonia will remain a reliable partner to the EU in dealing with the current geopolitical and security challenges," Pendarovski added.
Regarding the energy crisis, Mattarella said that the EU needs to come up with mechanisms to address it that would also include Western Balkan countries. Pendarovski said he had asked Mattarella to support the Western Balkan states' efforts in this field.
During his visit here, Mattarella also met with Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi and delivered an address at the country's parliament.
Mattarella arrived in North Macedonia from a two-day working visit to Albania.
The previous visit to North Macedonia by an Italian head of state took place 23 years ago. ■
