Athens, 23 September 2024 (MIA) - The topics discussed by the Foreign Ministers of North Macedonia and Greece, Timcho Mucunski and Giorgos Gerapetritis, included issues of bilateral, cross-border, and regional cooperation, the European perspective of our country, as well as the need to respect international law and international agreements, such as the Prespa Agreement, according to Greek diplomatic sources, MIA’s Athens correspondent reported.

During the talks, according to the same sources, Gerapetritis emphasized that the successful progress of the European perspective for all Western Balkan countries, including North Macedonia, depends on the fulfillment of obligations arising from European legislation and international law, among which is the commitment to international agreements such as the Prespa Agreement and the maintenance of good neighborly relations.

This was the first meeting between the two foreign ministers, held at the offices of the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

In a statement to reporters in New York, the Greek Foreign Minister reflected on his activities throughout the day, focusing on the EU perspective for the region, noting his participation in the informal meeting of the ‘Friends of the Western Balkans’ group, and reiterated Greece's support for the European integration of the countries in the region.

"We are trying to find ways so that there is momentum for enlargement, especially given the fact that Europe is at a crossroads of significant challenges. These challenges relate to defense, development, and the competitive position of the European Union in the world. Therefore, Europe needs to remain strong, united, and enlarged. During my attendance at the meeting of the ‘Friends of the Western Balkans,’ and afterwards, where I had the opportunity to meet with the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, I was able to emphasize the need for this European perspective to remain firmly active. Of course, this must be done with absolute respect for European legislation and international law, particularly international agreements," said Gerapetritis.

He added that it is clear that the European perspective "goes through respecting international law, for Europe to remain a pillar of stability on the international arena," but also for the international security strategy to remain active. As he stated, “there should not be a selective application of international agreements.”

Photo: MIA/X – Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs