7 April 2022 Delphi – It is very important, not only for North Macedonia but also for the entire region, especially now with the developments in Ukraine, all integration  processes to continue, the EU messages to turn into action, and for the EU to keep its promise of European perspective of the region, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska said Thursday during the panel discussion “Security Issues in the Western Balkans” held within 7th Delphi Economic Forum taking place April 6-9 in Greece. Skopje – The Western Balkan region is an integral part of Europe’s future security structure. Therefore, Euro-Atlantic and European perspective of the Western Balkans is a security issue and a tool for strengthening the stability. We send a clear message for the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible, which is crucial for preserving regional and European security, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani at NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday. Belgrade – The Serbian government approved Thursday the export of wheat and corn to North Macedonia, MIA reports from Belgrade. The government said in a press release it has approved the export of wheat and corn to legal entities exporting of these products to the Republic of North Macedonia based on agreements concluded prior to the entry into force of the decision on temporary ban on exports of basic agriculture-food products. Skopje - All salaries should rise following the increase of the national minimum wage but not all at once, because this could cause inflationary pressure, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told reporters Thursday. Skopje – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Thursday that he has always favored a swift solution with Bulgaria but not a hasty one. Talks are ongoing but a mutually acceptable solution has not been reached yet. Skopje – The OSCE Troika Foreign Ministers – North Macedonia’s Bujar Osmani, Poland’s Zbigniew Rau and Sweden’s Ann Linde – will travel to the Polish-Ukrainian border on Friday. Tirana – Albania will ask the European Union for decoupling from North Macedonia in the accession path because of the continued Bulgarian veto on Skopje, said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday. Skopje – The German government is focused on the Western Balkans more than ever. It has appointed a special representative for the area and will continue to strengthen regional networking through the Berlin Process. However, the most important thing now is that the enlargement policy is becoming a security policy and should be given significant incentive, especially through the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, visa liberalization with Kosovo, more progress in relations with Serbia, and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina, said German Ambassador Anke Holstein on Thursday. Skopje – Minimum expenses of a family of four in March amount to Mden 36,768 (EUR 597), said the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) on Thursday. Skopje – Fuel prices remain unchanged, with only the price of crude oil reduced as of midnight, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said on Thursday. Skopje – North Macedonia registered 202 new COVID-19 infections after 2,285 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, two patients died and 201 recovered, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. Skopje – The Skopje-based Criminal Court has sentenced TV personality Bojan Jovanovski, the first defendant in case dubbed “International Alliance”, to 9 years in prison for fraud and money laundering and other proceeds of crime. Skopje – The Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) donated 46 computers on Thursday to the Ministry of Interior, worth Mden 2.5 million, meant for the needs of the Border Police. Skopje – Future expert skills, youth employment and entrepreneurship opportunities are topics discussed at the regional conference titled “Skills for Future Jobs” taking place on Thursday, in which local and international experts will present latest research data and practical experience in connecting skills with future jobs based on needs and expectations of the labor market. Brussels - Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has reiterated calls for heavier weaponry to aid its defense against Russia at the start of talks with his counterparts from NATO countries. Brussels - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to pay a solidarity visit on Friday to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, where she will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, among others. She will be accompanied by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.