Skopje, 18 January 2022 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani held Tuesday a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Teodora Genchovska, who is in Skopje as part of the Bulgarian governmental delegation, led by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. During the meeting, the ministers welcomed the renewed dialogue between the two governments as well as the importance of resuming intensive high-level communication as it was stressed that bilateral relations will be upgraded through the fresh dynamic introduced in contacts, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release. Talks focused on the upcoming joint session of the government, due on January 25 in Sofia, as well as on introducing fresh dynamic in the cooperation by applying the concept of working groups, said the press release adding that concrete areas with potential for progress will be discussed. “By doing so, the two countries will send a clear signal that there is strong will for progress and mutual understanding in the spirit of good neighborliness and European values,” it was noted. “The visit takes place on the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Bulgaria recognizing the independence of our country, becoming the first country in the world to do so, and it is also PM Petkov’s first trip to the Western Balkans. It sends a very important and valuable message for our relations and also for our dynamic and different approach to overcome the challenges we are facing,” Minister Osmani stated after the meeting, adding: “It is important to identify concrete steps for cooperation through initiatives, activities and projects in due time. The two foreign ministries and other institutions will play their role.” The ministers concluded that the European integration process in the Western Balkans is a national interest of the EU membership candidate countries as well as of the EU member countries. Expressing commitment to the process of accession of the region to the EU, they also underlined the importance of good neighborliness and regional cooperation as an investment in joint European future. As regards economic cooperation, the ministers welcomed the rise in trade between the two countries of 30 percent throughout 2021 and voiced hopes that the positive growth rate of the two economies and bilateral trade will be maintained in 2022 as well as the positive trend of new investments, said the press release.