Within his working visit to Athens, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani held a meeting with his host, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Nikos Dendias.

At the meeting, the Ministers expressed satisfaction with the dynamic with which the relations between the two neighbouring countries was developing, the fruitful cooperation in numerous areas and the projects of common interest, as well as with the perspective for their further improvement at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. 

They also discussed the Prespa Agreement and its positive effect on the overall relations and cooperation between the two states.

“I am genuinely pleased that the relations between North Macedonia and Greece provide a true example of good neighbours, an example of how to build a stable and long-term friendship based on mutual confidence and respect. We have an Agreement on Strategic Partnership, the consistent implementation of which forms the basis for further cooperation and additional strengthening of our close relations,” Osmani said, adding that the growth of the trade between the two states by 100% was the best indicator for the new chapter of the bilateral relations, which had been enabled by the signing of the Agreement.

Osmani expressed appreciation for Greece’s support in the European integration process of North Macedonia, which this year started the negotiations for full membership of the European Union. 

The cooperation within NATO and the regional initiatives was also discussed, on the eve of North Macedonia’s chairmanship of the US–Adriatic Charter, the South-East European Cooperation Process and the OSCE in 2023. In this regard, the focus was on the cooperation during our OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office, aiming at ensuring lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.