On November 9, Macedonia officially became the 13th member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), an organization that cover two continents and economically connects over 350 million people in three different regions – the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

On that occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani said at Saturday’s press conference that the membership creates new conditions and opportunities for attracting foreign investment and creating additional potential for domestic businesses, especially those that are export-oriented.

The benefits of the BSEC refer not only to the membership in the structures of the organization and the opening of the channel of economic communication between the member states, but also in the realization of joint projects. This is most evident, said Osmani, by creating a fund for project development from various sectors of the organization.

Four of our five neighboring countries, added Osmani, are already members of this organization, which further opens the opportunities for us to act together as neighbors, as a separate region, within the BSEC, protecting our regional interests.

The public expected that the press conference of the Foreign Minister would focus on the relations with Bulgaria and the start of negotiations.