Investments, innovations, technological development, energy and tourism were only part of the topics of today's 6th meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey, which was chaired by the Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteşi and the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey, Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu, reported the MIA agency, quoted by BTA.

As Bekteşi and Kasapoglu announced at the joint press conference after the end of the meeting, within the framework of the Joint Commission, a Protocol was signed for further strengthening of relations between the two countries in several spheres, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with the Macedonian Agency for Youth and Sports, as well as with the Agency for Entrepreneurship Support.

 Both sides are intensifying steps to update the Free Trade Agreement.

"Consequently, according to the figures, the cooperation is deepening and it will probably continue like that. Turkey is one of the biggest investors in the country and I am convinced that this will continue, but our goal is to improve the free trade agreements. In the field of industry there are almost complete liberalization and we expect soon to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture as well, which is a request of business on both sides - so that our farmers have a larger market, as well as to increase competitiveness, above all of the raw materials that will come to the country from Turkey," Bekteshi pointed out.

According to him, he expects cooperation in the energy sector as well.

"There is a lot of interest from Turkish companies to invest in renewable sources. We will discuss the supply of natural gas to diversify supply choices and increase energy independence, and this can be extended to Kosovo as well as Southern Serbia and in general in the Western Balkans, emphasized Bekteshi.

According to Minister Kasapoglu, there is interest from Turkish investors for investments in renewable energy sources in North Macedonia.

"We consider North Macedonia an important investment partner. Turkish investments in North Macedonia have so far exceeded 1.2 billion dollars. But here we have new steps, especially in renewable energy sources. We are prepared, as is the Republic of North Macedonia," said the Turkish Minister.

Greece meets 80% of domestic electricity consumption from RES by 2030.

According to him, today's meeting covers energy, industry, culture, tourism and trade, which gives a new impetus to cooperation.

As Kasapoglu pointed out, last year the trade between the two countries reached nearly one billion dollars, and Turkey exported $700 million worth of products to North Macedonia.

After the meeting of the Mixed Commission during the day, as was announced at the press conference, Turkish-Macedonian business meetings with businessmen and investors are planned.