“We cannot allow the creation of a stability vacuum in the Western Balkans region”, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said after his meeting with North Macedonian Foreign Minister Buyar Osmani in Athens, warning that “the vacuum could easily be filled by other non-European powers that are in favour of revisionism”.
“Greece historically, but also actively supports the countries of the Western Balkans and their accession perspective”, he noted, “of course on the basis of the EU's criteria, meritocracy and methodology”.
“We firmly believe that this is the only way to peace and stability in the region. Europe has an obligation to keep European enlargement on the table.”.
The Foreign Minister stressed that Greece is ready to offer technical assistance to support the efforts of the Western Balkans to join the EU, but underlined that “we must have full and consistent implementation of the Prespa Agreement in good faith in order to make progress”.
“Two years after the entry into force of the Prespa Agreement, we recognize that a great deal of effort has been made in its implementation. But of course more progress is needed,” he said.
In particular, he said that an effort is needed in terms of implementation and consistent use of the name and terminology by all public institutions and private bodies, including websites. Effort is also needed to eliminate, eradicate the problem of antiquity, remove the sun of Vergina from all public places and public uses.
“What is clear in the Prespa Agreement is the clarity of what has happened in antiquity,” he said, adding that it is clear and has been accepted by North Macedonia that they were not in Alexander the Great's campaign, they were not present at Gaugamela and other historical moments.
“Between friends we must be honest and open,” he said. “Greece can be North Macedonia's best ally, it can be its best friend. Greece is a country with important interests in stability in the region and we are very much interested in your well-being.”.
He recalled that the two countries share common borders, while Greece has welcomed North Macedonia as a NATO ally and is conducting missions to police its airspace.
He thanked the neighbouring country “for aligning your country with the EU's common position on Turkey”. “This fact has been noted and is highly appreciated by Greece,” he said.
Regarding regional development, he underlined the importance of the agreement with Albania to refer the delimitation of maritime zones to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, always within the framework of International Law and in particular the International Law of the Sea.
Referring to the start of exploratory discussions with Turkey on the issue of the EEZ in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, he noted that this should be done on the basis of the same principles.
“I underline the importance of a smooth continuation of the talks and the need for Turkey to refrain from provocative actions”.
The Foreign Minister made a special reference to the significant potential of bilateral relations between the two countries and stressed that this went a step further today with the signing of three memoranda of understanding in the field of Diplomatic Training, in the field of Civil Protection, as well as the investments between Enterprise Greece and the North Macedonian counterpart Invest North Macedonia.
“We need to encourage more trade and investment. These in turn have the potential to create jobs and prosperity in both countries and in the wider region.”.
He also pointed out that Greece has made a great effort within the EU to provide support for the supply of coronavirus vaccines in North Macedonia and pledged to continue this effort, while the Prime Minister is also very active in this area.
He noted that when conditions allow, the Second High Level Cooperation Council will be held in Greece, which “will be for the benefit of our peoples, our countries, the wider region and Europe in general”.
Μ. Osmani: Greece and North Macedonia are strategic partners
The Foreign Minister of North Macedonia thanked Greece for its position in principle to support the European ambitions and the opening of negotiations of his country.
“We appreciate your support. This is the basis for a long friendship between us,” he said. “We expect great support from our friends in Greece in our struggle for European integration.”.
“North Macedonia and Greece are strategic partners and with the commitment to the implementation of the Prespa Agreement, we will continue to develop and strengthen this strategic partnership”.
He underlined that the intention of the two countries is to “go beyond good neighbourly relations”. “We want to transform our bilateral relations into a sincere and strategic partnership based on mutual trust and support.”.
“The pandemic has shown the importance of cooperation between all countries in the field of civil protection, especially when we are talking about neighbouring countries.”.
He recalled that various infrastructure projects are underway, such as the interconnecting pipeline for the transport of natural gas, the reuse of the existing pipeline, the effort to improve rail and road connections, while North Macedonia has the desire to participate in the FSRU in Alexandroupolis and a new border station will be opened.
“I expect that in the coming months, by reducing the restrictive measures of the pandemic, we will have enhanced cooperation between us, as well as the implementation of the activities set out in the Prespa Agreement Action Plan”, he said.
“I hope that this visit will be a kick-off for more visits at all levels, but also more agreements to be signed, more activities set out in the action plan, but also to create more trust between our peoples. It is very important for there to be an enduring friendship between our countries,” he concluded. Buyar Osmani
