Skopje, 29 November 2023 (MIA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who arrived Wednesday afternoon in Skopje, for the 30th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), taking place on Thursday and Friday, held a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani.

This marks the beginning of the US Secretary of State's participation in the OSCE meeting. Following this, he is planned to attend an informal dinner preceding the OSCE Ministerial Council, which officially starts tomorrow.

“It's great to be in North Macedonia with all our colleagues. I come from NATO, which is appropriate because North Macedonia is a strong ally and partner of the US and all the allies in the Alliance, and we see that every day,” stated Blinken during the meeting with Osmani.

He highlighted that the country can rely on support from Washington in the efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and energy diversification.

"We strongly support the work you are doing to strengthen democratic institutions. We also strongly support your efforts for energy diversification in the region and beyond, which I believe has a significant impact. In all of this, you can consider the US as a strong partner," emphasized the US Secretary of State.

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski welcomed the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Wednesday afternoon as he arrived in Skopje for the 30th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), taking place on Thursday and Friday.

“A warm welcome to Skopje for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During our meeting this afternoon, we reiterated our strong relations and discussed the continuous support that the United States provides to North Macedonia on our path to full EU membership and the implementation of necessary reforms,” PM Kovachevski posted on Facebook.

Photo: MIA/Government