Athens, 13 September 2022 (MIA) - Greece is prepared to support North Macedonia in these difficult times and could contribute to diversifying energy sources and enhancing connectivity, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during his meeting with North Macedonia's counterpart Dimitar Kovachevski in Athens, his office said. According to the same source, the two leaders reaffirmed their will to deepen bilateral relations with an accent on the energy crisis, MIA's Athens correspondent reports. "The two leaders discussed the perspectives for multilevel cooperation in energy, especially infrastructure, as well as the need to diversify energy sources and enhance connectivity. The Prime Minister said Greece could contribute in this regard due to the infrastructure developed on the energy map and its position benefiting the region's energy security, thus emphasizing the leader's role played in Southeast Europe," the Mitsotakis office said. Also, Mitsotakis congratulated Kovachevski on the first EU-North Macedonia Intergovernmental Conference, held recently, and underlined Greece's support of the country on its accession path based on the established criteria, respect of good neighborly relations, and full and consistent implementation of the Prespa Agreement as part of the accession process. At the start of the meeting, PM Mitsotakis said a lot of things will be discussed during his talks with his guest all the while reiterating the Greek support on North Macedonia's EU path and in relation to the energy crisis. "I'd like to reiterate that Greece is prepared to support North Macedonia in these very difficult times. I believe it is in our mutual interest that Greek companies should invest in North Macedonia so as to connect our infrastructure in a such a way that it will contribute to boosting the energy ties between our countries," the Greek prime minister stated. We are prepared for the coming winter, Prime Minister Kovachevski stressed, but for us close ties with Greece is of special interest, especially in regard to supplying materials and electricity production to resume during the winter and the spring. "Also, the successful Greek investments in North Macedonia, most notably those in the energy sector, should continue. Our people already know that we'd decided to take part in the Alexandroupolis liquefied natural gas terminal project. At the same time, studies are under way involving the interconnector with Greece, which will allow my country to diversify its energy sources. Additionally, the new energy capacities to cover the future needs of North Macedonia are largely supported by Greek investors. Furthermore, energy investments estimated at one billion for pipeline are in the works. As two neighboring countries, I believe we can serve as an example of good neighborly relations, not only in the region, but also throughout Europe," PM Kovachevski stated at the start of his meeting with his Greek host in Athens.