Brussels, 5 April 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia's Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani met with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on the sidelines of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. Osmani pointed out that Finland's NATO membership is a historic moment for the Alliance and a true path to greater common security and safety.

"Finland's NATO membership is an important step that will strengthen the Alliance's unity and defense capabilities," Osmani stressed. 

Osmani congratulated Finland on its NATO membership, noting that it is a significant contribution to the overall transatlantic stability.

In addition to NATO, Osmani and Haavisto focused on priority issues in terms of OSCE during North Macedonia's Chairmanship with the organization. 

Interlocutors pointed out that in this very critical geopolitical situation and in these times of great challenges, the OSCE is and should remain one of the most important international platforms for dialogue.

"North Macedonia appreciates Finland's role and participation in the OSCE Troika, as well as cooperation at all OSCE levels," Osmani said. 

Participants in the meeting stressed that in order to deepen cooperation it is necessary to re-establish full respect for the common commitments and principles from the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter by each participating country. 

On the sidelines of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, FM Osmani also met with Estonian FM Urmas Reinsalu, Romanian FM Bogdan Aurescu, as well as with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.