Skopje, 25 May 2022 (MIA) – We deeply believe that negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania should be opened immediately, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Wednesday in Skopje. Greece has heightened efforts to provide peace, security and stability in the region. “I believe the only way to meet these goals is the clear and full support of the European perspective of the Western Balkans,” Dendias told a news conference in Skopje alongside Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani. He said Greece has been clearly supporting the European perspective of North Macedonia, adding his visit to Skopje aims to demonstrate “we stand with you on the path to Europe.” “We believe we are your close ally. We will make efforts to advance the relations between our countries at bilateral level,” FM Dendias said noting Greece is committed to consistent and in good faith implementation of the Prespa Agreement. He revealed that a large Greek company has shown great interest in investing in North Macedonia in an electricity production station, estimated at EUR 200 million. “I’m pleased by the fact that our economy is cooperating more closely and we’ve already reached pre-pandemic levels. It gives us pleasure to learn that Greek investments are at a really high level in your country,” Minister Dendias stated. According to FM Osmani, the European perspective of the region is a matter of security interest both for us and for Europe. “Opening of negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania is the best way to restore Europe’s credibility in the region. In this regard, I’m glad we have the full support of Greece,” he said. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, Osmani noted, has shown the region needs additional investment in the resilience from threats. “As NATO allies, it is our duty to take care of regional stability and we have a coordinated approach in the interest of both the region and Europe,” said the top diplomat. As good neighbors, Osmani said, North Macedonia and Greece have been building mutual ties creating preconditions for permanent friendship. Citing economic statistics, Minister Osmani said that 2021 recorded overall trade of over EUR 934 returning to pre-pandemic levels. Over EUR 350 million is recorded in the first quarter of 2022. “It suggest that this year we could expect overall trade to surpass one billion euros,” Minister Osmani told the news conference.