Munich conference pledges more support for Ukraine; Osmani at panel on Europe's security architecture
Munich, 19 February 2023 (MIA) — Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, world leaders at the 59th Munich Security Conference pledged more support for Ukraine but also discussed the fears of an alliance between China and Russia as well as how to promote stability in individual regions of the world, including the Western Balkans.
According to MIA's reporter in Munich, participants debated security not only in light of the war in Ukraine but also from the aspect of energy, economy, food, water, and environmental protection. Hybrid threats and cyber-attacks were the focus of several panels but the danger was mentioned in almost all discussions analyzing the role of the US, Great Britain, Germany, China as well as other international stakeholders in the protection of global peace.
The conference has gathered key decision-makers from around the world for three days of intensive debates. More than 45 heads of state and government are attending, joined by nearly 100 ministers from all corners of the globe as well as the heads of many of the most important international organizations such as the UN, the EU, and NATO.
Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in Munich is leading a government delegation including Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani as the 2023 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.
Kovachevski took part Saturday in panel discussion dedicated to the security of the Western Balkans and the region’s European integration.
"North Macedonia has a clear foreign policy position: there is no alternative to international cooperation on security issues," PM Kovachevski told MIA ahead of the panel.
“Our key priority is Ukraine but also other areas where there is a need to promote peace and security,” he said.
He and Deputy PM Marichikj held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference: with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, with EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues Miroslav Lajčák, with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and with other top officials.
“Once again, we stressed the importance of North Macedonia becoming a member of the EU as soon as possible. Our EU friends support us and help the country’s reform processes. The European path of the Western Balkans is important for regional stability, for the safe and prosperous life our citizens deserve,” Kovachevski wrote on Facebook.
He also had brief meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg; and former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
As 2023 OSCE chairman, FM Osmani at the final day of the Munich Security Conference will take part in the panel discussion "Back to the Future? Visions for the European Security Architecture." Other panelists include EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. mr/
