The Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Orhan Murtezani, met today in Athens with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou.
The meeting reaffirmed the joint commitment to promoting good neighborly relations and deepening cooperation in key areas of mutual interest. Minister Murtezani emphasized that North Macedonia and Greece, as two neighboring, partner countries and NATO allies, should continue to work to strengthen regional stability and economic development, with a special focus on trade and energy connectivity, infrastructure projects and sectoral cooperation.
The focus of the talks was on the European integration of North Macedonia, the EC Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the country's Reform Agenda. Minister Murtezani expressed gratitude for the support that Greece provides for our European integration process. The interlocutors concluded that more than two decades after the historic EU-WB Summit in Thessaloniki in 2003, when the Union confirmed the European perspective of the region, stronger and more effective action is needed to ensure that integration remains a credible and viable process.
In that context, Murtezani and Papadopoulou openly discussed the challenges facing North Macedonia on its path to full membership, including issues affecting the negotiation dynamics.
The importance of the reform processes was emphasized, as well as the need to maintain a clear and predictable European perspective for the country. The Greek side reaffirmed its readiness to actively promote the European future of North Macedonia, providing political support within the framework of European institutions.
The interlocutors also discussed the implementation of the Prespa Agreement, exchanging views on the challenges, but also on the mechanisms through which both sides can proactively address the issues arising from its implementation. At the same time, it was emphasized that the Final Agreement created significant opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional integration, and the results so far show that with dedication and a constructive approach, all challenges can be overcome and all the benefits it brings can be utilized.
Within the framework of the talks, opinions were also exchanged on broader regional developments, with an emphasis on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the need to maintain stability in the region, as well as on current challenges related to global security issues. The importance of joint action within international organizations, such as NATO, OSCE and the Council of Europe, for promoting peace, democracy and the rule of law was emphasized.
Minister Murtezani thanked for the open and constructive discussion and confirmed North Macedonia's readiness to deepen bilateral and regional cooperation with Greece, as well as to continue reforms that will accelerate the European integration process.
