Greece is a staunch supporter in FYROM’s EU accession, says deputy PM Bujar Osmani




Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and FYROM Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani will discuss the Prespes Agreement on the name issue signed between the two countries in June and FYROM’s EU accession, during the latter’s visit to Athens on Thursday.

At a news briefing in Skopje on Wednesday, Osmani said that the two officials will discuss Greece’s role in facilitating FYROM’s entry to the EU and NATO and called Greece “a new strategic partner.” He added that despite the political turbulence related to the agreement, support for it in FYROM “is expanding” and “the process is not at all threatened.”

Both EU and NATO have set the implementation of the treaty, which includes a name change for the country, as prerequisites for joining.

Greece has pledged to strongly support FYROM’s membership in EU and NATO, Osmani said at the briefing. This commitment was evident when Greece and then FM Nikos Kotzias, who signed the agreement, pushed the Council of the EU in June for a specific date that FYROM may start EU accession negotiations.

After their meeting on Thursday Katrougalos and Osmani are also expected to inaugurate a new flight between Athens and Skopje.

SKOPJE (ANA/M. Frangopoulos)

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