Skopje, 7 June 2022 (MIA) – North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu expect economic cooperation to intensify and the volume of trade to reach EUR 2 billion in the next five years. Speaking at Tuesday’s joint press conference in Ankara, Çavuşoğlu noted that the volume of bilateral trade increased by about 42% last year, reaching USD 772 million. “This year figures will be around USD 900 million. We agreed for an increase up to USD 1 billion by next year at the latest, but we believe we can reach a trade volume of USD 2 billion in the next five years,” said Çavuşoğlu. He added that together with Osmani they have revised the Free Trade Agreement, particularly in terms of including agricultural products and services. Çavuşoğlu pointed out that talks also focused on energy cooperation, underlining that Turkey wants to develop energy cooperation with North Macedonia. According to him, the Turkish community in the country is an important bridge for Turkey and North Macedonia. He also mentioned the development projects implemented by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in North Macedonia, in support of the country’s development, adding that Turkey wants to share its experience in future projects to be implemented in the country. Çavuşoğlu said he and Osmani also discussed cooperation in the defense industry, announcing the signing of a draft-agreement on security between the two countries at the next meeting in North Macedonia. In addition, In addition, he spoke “of the risks” in terms of the Fethullah Gülen organization, which Turkey calls FETÖ. The Turkish Foreign Minister said he voiced strong support regarding the upcoming North Macedonia OSCE Chairpersonship. Osmani said the two discussed bilateral cooperation, NATO alliance, regional and multilateral cooperation, as well as current international security challenges. “Çavuşoğlu’s upcoming visit to North Macedonia at the Prespa Forum Dialogue, has both symbolic and essential significance.  The symbolic one is that the visit is taking place at a time when the two countries mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. To us, this is an important anniversary, because Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Macedonia at the time, and the first country to send an ambassador to the then newly independent state. Since then, it has continuously supported North Macedonia in becoming what it is today, i.e. a NATO member, a stable country, functional one, multiethnic democracy which is developing economically,” said Osmani. Osmani also mentioned trade. “We’re working to further increase dynamics. Last year, an economic advisor joined our Embassy in Ankara,” Osmani noted. Osmani welcomed Turkey’s efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia in finding a diplomatic solution and preventing a humanitarian catastrophe. In addition, Osmani and Çavuşoğlu signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the foreign ministries in the area of protocol.