Skopje, 8 July 2023 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met on Saturday with Gabriel Escobar, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Representative to the Western Balkans and discussed the current developments in the Western Balkans.

At the meeting, Osmani underscored that speeding up Western Balkans’ EU integration processes is of key importance for preserving stability in the region.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osmani briefed the high US official on the nine-point plan for the de-escalation of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, which he initiated in his capacity as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

At the same time, they also discussed the need to speed up the European integration processes of North Macedonia and the countries of the region as a shared strategic goal.

“The EU enlargement process represents a security issue, and hence speeding up Western Balkans’ EU integration processes is of key importance for preserving stability in our region, but also Europe as a whole. We greatly appreciate the continued US support in that direction, which is a shared strategic interest, but also a guarantee of limiting the influence of third parties,” Osmani noted.

They also discussed the development of bilateral relations within the Strategic Dialogue between North Macedonia and the USA, as well as the overall support for strengthening democratic institutions, progress in the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

The union between the two countries within the framework of NATO was welcomed at the meeting, where the support for Ukraine and joint efforts to defend modern democratic principles and values were emphasized, as well as a strong condemnation of the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

On the sidelines of the Dubrovnik Forum 2023, Osmani met with the EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso. He will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Maria Gabriel and the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs