The full, consistent, and good-faith implementation of the Prespa Agreement, including the use of the country's constitutional name before all (erga omnes), is of utmost importance for North Macedonia's European path.

This was stated by Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis at a joint briefing with his Macedonian counterpart Timcho Mucunski, BGNES reported.

Minister Gerapetritis noted Greece's efforts to accelerate the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU, and specifically the Republic of Macedonia. He said that Athens would continue to support the European perspective of the region in order to strengthen regional stability and promote cooperation and prosperity. "I would like to reiterate Greece's support for North Macedonia's European path, based on the principle of conditionality and equal results, with particular attention to the Basic Principles," the head of Greek diplomacy said.

During their meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest. "Geography connects us. Our peoples stand side by side, ready to help and support each other in difficult times, such as humanitarian disasters.

 Acts of solidarity strengthen mutual trust and bring our peoples closer together," Minister Gerapetritis said. He noted the strong cooperation between Athens and Skopje in various areas such as the economy, trade, investment, and connectivity in the transport and energy sectors.

 "We have agreed to strengthen our mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in these areas, including through the EU Development Plan for the Western Balkans," Minister Gerapetritis said.

He emphasized Greece's role as an energy hub in Southeast Europe. "Flagship energy projects, such as the Greece-North Macedonia Interconnector gas pipeline, contribute significantly to achieving this goal," Minister Gerapetritis added.

According to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "respect for international law is essential to guaranteeing a future based on shared prosperity and lasting peace," writes the local publication Telegraph. "Mutual commitment to these principles is the basis for the successful implementation of useful initiatives and projects in the future," the information further states.

Prior to the bilateral talks, the pro-government publication Kathimerini wrote that during the meeting with Timcho Mucunski, it was expected that "Greece is expected to express concern about North Macedonia's failure to fully implement the 2018 Prespa Agreement."

"The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of growing pressure from the EU on Skopje to fulfill its commitments related to the accession process... Athens expresses concern about the increasing use of the name "Macedonia" without the constitutionally accurate designation "North" by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and ministers of the ruling nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party," the publication added, emphasizing: The Greek authorities are also concerned about the omission of "North" in public discourse and state institutions, including sports federations.

The publication also recalled Siljanovska-Davkova's words that "if the Prespa Agreement had really been beneficial to her country, it would already be a member of the EU.".

BGNES recalls that after the meeting between Mutsunski and Gerapetritis in Athens, the state agency in Skopje reported that "Athens supports Skopje on the European path." І BGNES