Athens, 23 July 2025 (MIA) – I deeply believe in the potential of our relations, in the power of diplomacy based on respect, and in our joint ability to build a future that will be functional. Not only today, but also for the generations to come, stressed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski after a meeting Wednesday with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, noting that “mutual respect is the foundation on which lasting cooperation is built,” MIA’s Athens correspondent reports.

The two diplomats spoke for over two hours during a meeting and working lunch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Greece as part of Mucunski’s first visit to Athens. The Minister described the meeting as constructive, with the focus of discussions being bilateral relations, cooperation in multiple areas, as well as the EU perspective of the country and the region.

In their statements to the media, both Mucunski and Gerapetritis said the two countries foster firm cooperation in several areas and expressed their readiness to strengthen it further.

“We reaffirmed something that is essential: as neighbors and NATO allies our cooperation is important. It is important for our countries, it is important for the entire region, and for the values we advocate for together. I expressed my gratitude for Greece’s consistent support for our European path and its constant role as an advocate for the European future of the Western Balkans. Not only do we value this partnership, but we also see it as essential,” Mucunski said.

Mucunski said they focused on “progress that carries tangible results for our citizens”.

“Investments, trade, infrastructure, energy… We spoke about projects such as Corridor X and the gas interconnector – not just as technical efforts, but as drivers of growth, security and regional connectivity,” Mucunski stressed.

The heads of the two diplomacies also discussed regional and global security, reaffirming their shared commitment within NATO and “the need for close coordination in these uncertain times”, adding that support for Ukraine “must remain unwavering”. They also touched upon joint efforts in combating “malignant influence and standing in defense of stability and democratic principles”.

Both ministers, according to Mucunski, underscored the importance of international law and the obligations undertaken by both sides, because, he said, “mutual respect is the foundation upon which lasting cooperation is built”.

“I also expressed my sincere gratitude over Greece’s solidarity during the tragedy in Kochani and the recent emergencies near Dojran. These weren’t just gestures of assistance, but real acts of friendship,” Mucunski said.

Greece’s top diplomat also reflected on Greece’s assistance and solidarity with North Macedonia, stating “united by geography, our countries stand side by side, ready to help and support each other in times of need”, and emphasizing that “acts of solidarity strengthen trust and bring our peoples closer together”.

“Greece and North Macedonia have established firm cooperation in various areas, including the economy, trade, investments and projects for mutual connectivity through transport and energy networks. We agreed to deepen our mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in these sectors, also including through the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkan. Through its key energy infrastructure, Greece can act as an energy hub in Southeast Europe and significantly contribute for Europe’s energy diversification and resilience. The strategic projects in the energy sector, such as the Greece – North Macedonia gas interconnector, play an essential role in the realization of this goal,” Gerapetritis said.

The Greek Foreign Minister recalled Greece’s support for the country’s NATO membership in 2020 and expressed a desire to advance cooperation within the Alliance. He also touched upon the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda for accelerating the Euro-integration of the Western Balkans, once again expressing Greece’s support for the EU perspective of the country and the region.

“I would like to once again emphasize Greece’s support for North Macedonia’s progress on its European path, based on established conditions and the principle of own merits, with particular attention to the fundamental criteria. In this context, allow me to underline the utmost importance of full, consistent, and good-faith implementation of the Prespa Agreement, including the erga omnes use of the country’s constitutional name,” Gerapetritis stressed.

Gerapetritis noted that adherence to international law is of key importance in circumstances of instability, armed conflicts and internal unrest.

Ahead of his meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister, Mucunski wrote in a social media post that in Athens, alongside the head of the Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ) Goce Dimovski, he would also meet with the management of Greek company Rontis, which has invested in North Macedonia and is operating in the country.

Photo: MIA/Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs