Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who is touring the western Balkans, in his capacity as chairman of the European Union's Council of Ministers visited yesterday (02.20) Skopje. After meeting FYROM’s Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the two officials expressed their intention to accelerate negotiations over the country's name, under the auspices of the United Nations, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

"In my European capacity, I am here to discuss the European and the Euroatlantic integration of this country," which is a priority for the Greek EU Presidency, Venizelos stated during a press conference. Concerning bilateral relations he pointed that "the two economies are interlinked to a great degree. We are very interested in FYROM’s domestic stability and Western orientation because this affects stability in the greater western Balkan region."

He stressed, nevertheless, that compliance with the principle of good neighbourly relations concerning Greece and Bulgaria, is a critical point for a new assessment on FYROM by the EU Council. Venizelos further stated that applying the Ohrid Summit decisions on the relations between FYROM's two largest ethnic communities, and the agreement reached on March 1, 2013, between the country's parties, is of crucial importance.

In Skopje yesterday, Venizelos also met separately with President Gjorge Ivanov, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, and others. Later in the day, Venizelos returned to Pristina, from where he was expected to fly to Tirana for meetings before returning to Greece.

Evangelos Venizelos made the following statement regarding the situation in Ukraine:

"Unfortunately, a ray of hope created earlier today, with the truce in Ukraine, has evaporated. The violence is escalating, the number of dead is increasing. It is the obligation of all the forces in Ukraine to stop the violence, to communicate with one another and ensure the democratic functioning of their country, its internal stability and integrity. Thus will they find their place within the European continent, where they belong – in any case – historically and geographically. But they must also belong institutionally and culturally.

The role of the EU is critical, as are the roles of the United States and Russia. The international community has an obligation to mobilize and assist the country, exerting every legal and legitimate pressure so that Ukraine can stand on its feet, remain stable, and not lapse into civil war," Venizelos said.