Zoran Zaev: Greece will help get a date for negotiations with the EU

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Zoran Zaev

 Greece will help get a date for the start of negotiations with the EU, while implementation of the Prespa Agreement will go according to the projected dynamics, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said after meeting in Thessaloniki with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The implementation of the Prespa Agreement must go with the positive and anticipated dynamics and we are working on both sides on this issue. We focused on the European Council, which was the European Council's decision. I had the opportunity of first hand to get information as discussed of what are the expectations. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Greece will fight for our country to finally get the date for the start of the talks and I am happy about that,” said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev after the meeting.

Prime Minister Micotakis, as he said, "has elaborated on his activities, plans, how to take the steps and help us more."

“We are talking about border crossings. We say that it is good to build the “Markova noga” crossing. We have said that the international expert group should continue the talks and meetings to find acceptable solutions, it is understood by both parties. I believe that there is an acceptable solution to this work, they should continue the talks, they are already communicating with the chambers themselves, which will be of great help. And I believe we will find an acceptable solution, which really will be for the businessmen, for the producers, for the companies and from the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Greece," said Zaev.

He added that they have spoken to give directions to their cabinets to continue in this direction.

The Zaev-Micotakis meeting was held in the framework of the fourth Thessaloniki Summit.

Prime Minister Zaev also met with former Thessaloniki prefect Janis Butaris.

“The good friends of our country remain committed to maintaining and deepening the friendly relations between North Macedonia and Greece. Every meeting with former Thessaloniki prefect Butaris brings something new. He informed me that he will visit several cities of our country next week as part of a two-city liaison program. We agreed that any business investment is an investment in friendship for a better future for the citizens of both countries,” Zaev posted on Facebook.