ATHENS — President of Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Tuesday received visiting President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski at the Presidential Mansion, underlining the special importance and symbolism of his first official visit to Greece, for the relations of both countries.

Sakellaropoulou reaffirmed the importance we give to the strenthening of the bilateral relations as well as to North Macedonia's European perspective. "The full, consistent and with good faith implementation of the Prespes Agreement is crucial for the implementation of both goals," she said.

"We recognise that positive steps have been made by North Macedonia, however, there are many issues still pending. The resolution of these pending matters will allow the total strengthening of our cooperation," concluded Sakellaropoulou.

On his part, President Pendarovski referred to a historic meeting as it is the first official meeting of the two countries after 30 years.

Referring to the Prespes Agreement, he quoted the legal term "Pacta sunt servanda" noting that the "agreements should be respected" and agreed with Sakellaropoulou that many steps have taken for the implementation of the Prespes Agreement, maybe the most difficult ones."

He reassured that his country is ready to address the pending issues adding that his country is ready to fully implement the Prespes Agreement.

Finally, he said that he believes that Greece will continue to support North Macedonia's EU perspective as the Prespes Agreement is not only an agreement for the name but also an agreement of strategic cooperation, Pendarovski underlined.