Skopje, 31 August 2021 (MIA) – Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov met Tuesday with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, as part of his working visit to North Macedonia. Interlocutors underlined the readiness of both sides to ensure continuity in the implementation of the Prespa Agreement, given the favorable impact on bilateral relations in conditions of increased economy, stability and prosperity for both countries. Talks particularly focused on the issue of the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations, with Deputy PM Dimitrov expressing gratitude for Greece’s support. “The established friendship between North Macedonia and Greece is realized through concrete projects of mutual interest, but our long-term vision is to build a common European future, which is why the EU must fulfill its promise to North Macedonia and the region, and implement the decision to open accession negotiations. Overcoming obstacles in this context is an issue that is of interest to the member states, to Greece as our neighbor, as well as to the EU and its strategic action in the Western Balkans,” Dimitrov pointed out. The Greek delegation reaffirmed the position that the European perspective of North Macedonia should be wrapped up with EU membership, which also affects the development of modalities of bilateral cooperation and good neighborly relations in the region. FM Dendias pointed out that such support will be affirmed within Slovenia’s EU Presidency in order to adopt the negotiating framework and hold the first EU-North Macedonia intergovernmental conference to mark the official start of accession talks. “Discussions also tackled technical assistance from Greece in the accession process, i.e. exchange of experience, expertise and knowledge in the implementation of European policies, for which both countries have signed a Memorandum to accelerate the European integration process of North Macedonia, as well as current developments at regional and international level, especially in the context of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.