Ways to strengthen cooperation based on the relevant experience from Southeast European countries in countering COVID-19 were discussed Friday at informal meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) foreign ministers in Antalya.

The event hosted by the Turkish SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office 2020-2021, was also attended by North Macedonia’s FM Bujar Osmani.

“Regional initiatives are crucial in strengthening the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries. As one of the oldest, the SEECP is a key factor in this process emphasizing the huge contribution to ensuring lasting peace, stability and economic prosperity in Southeast European countries,” Osmani said.

He pointed out the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia, which got a green light in March to the start EU negotiations, Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

“As a country that anticipates to open EU accession talks, we welcome the regional initiatives that have provided us with a clear European perspective, which is an additional incentive for us to actively continue to contribute to strengthening regional cooperation,” Osmani said.

In his speech, Osmani reaffirmed the need for strong European and regional cooperation and solidarity in adopting joint and coordinated measures in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and their implementation through numerous regional initiatives, including the Berlin Process, which is being co-chaired this year by North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Participants at the forum also promote regional cohesion by strengthening political and economic cooperation, as well as towards democracy, the rule of law, free market economy and respect for fundamental human rights as core European values that remain the focus of all SEECP participating countries.

Later in the day, Osmani is also expected to meet with his counterparts from Serbia and Turkey, Nikola Selaković and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu respectively, press release reads.