Athens ‘very positive’ on North Macedonia's European path, Osmani says

The government of North Macedonia was pleasantly surprised by the support lent by Greece's conservative government in last year's European Union summit when France refused to let the country (and Albania) start talks on joining the bloc, North Macedonia's Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani told Kathimerini recently in Brussels.

"Greece had a very positive position during the October summit. I emphasize this because it was represented by the new government and everyone feared there would be a change in attitude. But there was absolutely full support on starting accession negotiations," he said.

Osmani, who is the spokesperson for the Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), cites his country's new partnership with the Hellenic Air Force within NATO as an indication of strengthening bilateral relations. He said the Prespes accord, which...