Skopje, 10 June 2022 (MIA) — No decision is more important for boosting stability, reforms and EU enthusiasm in the SEE region than the decision to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania without further delay and excuses, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told the Thessaloniki South-East European Cooperation Process foreign ministerial meeting on Saturday. According to the Foreign Ministry in a press release, Foreign Minister Osmani thanked Greece on the successful SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office during difficult times and on its support of the European integration of the SEECP countries that are not yet EU member states. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in light of rising energy and commodity prices as a result of the war in Ukraine. "All forms of regional organization aiming to reduce bureaucratic barriers and build a common regional market should be treated with the necessary urgency and full engagement of governments," Osmani said. At the meeting, the foreign ministers discussed regional cooperation in crisis, the European perspective of the region, prioritizing energy security, and addressing climate change. Meeting participants also adopted a declaration for North Macedonia to hold the Chairmanship-in-Office of the SEECP June 2023 to June 2024, following Montenegro's, which starts after the Greek one ends in June 2022. North Macedonia will also hold the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship, the release notes. mr/