Hahn: Prespa Agreement is an opportunity to strengthen neighborly relations and political and economic cooperation


The Prespa Agreement is an “example of reconciliation and an opportunity to strengthen good neighbourly relations,” says EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn in his recent answer to a question raised by SYRIZA Eurogroup head and European Parliament Vice President Dimitris Papadimoulis, ANA-MPA reports.

The question was filed in autumn 2018, when the ratification of the Prespa Agreement was expected, in relation to boosting investments in Greece and North Macedonia.

“The Prespa Agreement is an example of reconciliation and an opportunity to strengthen good neighbourly relations,” which “further promotes political and economic cooperation,” Commissioner Hahn noted at the beginning of his answer on behalf of the European Commission.

“The Commission has launched a study on sustainable economic development in the greater region of the Prespa Lake, with particular emphasis on tourism,” Hahn added.

“The countries are committed to jointly developing a strategic plan to implement a border-crossing near the Prespa Lake, co-funded by the cross-border cooperation program of the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and a Greek regional programme,” he said.

Papadimoulis also mentions the statement made on 10 September 2018 by the Vice President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Pierre Heilbronn, saying that once the Prespa Agreement is finalized, investments will boost in both countries.