Skopje, 18 November 2021 (MIA) – In North Macedonia and our dossier lays the key to unblocking the whole region because it is only logical that the unblocking starts here with the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. This will encourage other countries in the region to close outstanding issues for the purpose of the whole region to take the European course, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said during a meeting with Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Michael Linhart. The visit aims at reaffirming the strong and consistent Austrian support for the country’s European integration and in this context, the ministers shared views on the perspectives about our European dossier all the while discussing political developments in North Macedonia, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release. “Minister Linhart’s visit also has a strong economic element given the fact he was accompanied by a business delegation. Austria is one of the country’s top investors. Being close geographically, having complementary economies and fostering excellent political relations creates potentials to bolster economic cooperation,” said the press release. During the visit, it added, a business event took place to further improve trade and investments as well as to present the Re Focus Austria program, which is aimed at promoting Austrian companies in several areas, including renewable energy, digital economy and infrastructure. The ministers also discussed North Macedonia’s OSCE chairmanship in 2023 and ways for future cooperation in this context. “An approach of solidarity in stemming the Covid-pandemic, illegal migration and other international issues were discussed during the meeting,” stated the press release.