Skopje, 28 November 2023 (MIA) – North Macedonia has been playing an important role as a stabilizing factor in the region, we are a functional multiethnic democracy, we lead by example, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in a media statement ahead of the beginning of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels.

Osmani said he is glad the meeting will discuss the Western Balkans region.

“I think this is the best way to address challenges that the region faces, in a coordinated approach, in a synergy of action, believing that only accelerated inter-European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the region is a panacea for the struggles of the region,” said Osmani.

In his statement Osmani highlighted the role of North Macedonia as a stabilizing factor in the region.

“We hosted the EU-led Serbia-Kosovo dialogue which produced the Ohrid Agreement, which is the basis for a comprehensive agreement between the two countries centered on mutual recognition. We recently hosted in Skopje Secretary General Stoltenberg and NATO leaders from the region to address security challenges of the region, and also as OSCE Chairpersonship we have been engaged in addressing those challenges,” said Osmani.

Osmani also welcomed the first NATO-Ukraine Council, stressing that North Macedonia will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The NATO Foreign Affairs Meeting, hosted by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will also be attended by the Foreign Minister of Sweden, as a country who is in the process of joining the alliance. The main topics of discussion at the meeting are expected to be the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and developments in the Western Balkans.

Photo: MIA