Skopje, 7 February 2025 (MIA) - Minister of European Affairs of North Macedonia, Orhan Murtezani, met on Friday in Athens with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Alexandra Papadopoulou, as reported by the Ministry of European Affairs.

During the meeting, they reaffirmed the shared commitment to improving good neighbourly relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Minister Murtezani stressed that North Macedonia and Greece, as neighbouring partner countries and NATO allies, must continue working to strengthen regional stability and economic growth, with particular emphasis on trade and energy connectivity, infrastructure projects, and sectoral cooperation.

The discussions focused on North Macedonia's European integration, the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and the country's Reform Agenda. Minister Murtezani thanked Greece for its support of the country’s European integration process. The participants noted that over two decades after the historic EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki in 2003, which confirmed the European perspective of the region, there is a need for stronger and more efficient action to ensure the integration process remains credible and achievable.

In this regard, Murtezani and Papadopoulou openly discussed the challenges North Macedonia faces on its path to EU full membership, including issues that influence the negotiating process.

The importance of the reform process was highlighted, along with the necessity of maintaining a clear and predictable European perspective for the country. The Greek side reaffirmed its readiness to actively promote North Macedonia’s European future, providing political support within European institutions.

The implementation of the Prespa Agreement was also discussed, with an exchange of views on the challenges, as well as the mechanisms through which both sides can proactively address issues arising from its implementation. At the same time, it was emphasized that the final agreement has created significant opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional integration, and the results so far demonstrate that with dedication and a constructive approach, all challenges can be overcome, and all the benefits it brings can be utilized.

Opinions were exchanged on broader regional developments, with a focus on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the need to maintain stability in the region, and ongoing challenges related to global security issues. They also underscored the importance of joint action within international organisations such as NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe to promote peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

Minister Murtezani expressed gratitude for the open and constructive discussion and reaffirmed North Macedonia’s readiness to enhance bilateral and regional cooperation with Greece, as well as to continue with reforms aimed at accelerating the European integration process, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of European Affairs