Skopje, 9 January 2023 (MIA) – One of the most important strategic priorities of North Macedonia in its presidency of the US – Adriatic Charter (A5) is the creation of a new strategic concept which will reflect the role of the initiative in the upcoming decade and in the context of the new geopolitical environment, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani at a joint press conference with US Ambassador Angela Aggeler on Monday.

The press conference was held after a working meeting with the ambassadors of the member states and observers of A5 – the US, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia and Slovenia, at which North Macedonia presented the priorities and goals of its presidency over the Charter in 2023. Established in 2003, A5 has been generating stability and security in this part of Europe and presiding over it, according to Osmani, represents the most important initiative for the promotion and protection of NATO values in the region.

“The Adriatic Charter has largely fulfilled the aim for which it was established. It played an important role in the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in the region, and at present practically all three founding countries of the Charter, as well as Montenegro, are members of NATO. Our presidency coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Charter. The geopolitical environment has significantly altered throughout the continent since the establishment of A5. Especially after Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. Therefore, we will answer appropriately by providing a new strategic concept aimed at strengthening the role of A5 in the region, but also adapting its goals and missions in line with the new security challenges in the region,” said Osmani.

US Ambassador Aggeler extended her congratulations to FM Osmani and the government on their presidency of the US – Adriatic Charter and OSCE, noting that the country is assuming an exceptional leadership role in the community of European nations at a crucial time.

“Promoting European security and stability has never been as important for Europe as it is today. Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and illegal military aggression in Ukraine provided a sobering reminder of the necessity of organizations such as NATO and OSCE. The unprecedented joint response by the countries seeking a peaceful and stable Europe is demonstrating that there are consequences to undermining European security and the rule-based international order,” said Aggeler, stressing the importance of cooperation among countries that share mutual goals.

Reaffirming US support for the country, Aggeler expressed her conviction in the capacity of North Macedonia’s not only to define the future role of A5, but also to address key issues for European security during its OSCE Chairpersonship,

The draft document which Osmani presented to the A5 ambassadors, proposes, among other things, the strengthening of mutual cooperation and coordination with the Charter countries that are also NATO members, defining a wide array of mechanisms for greater engagement of the members of the Charter which are not a part of NATO.

“Our ambitious goal was already discussed during the Strategic Dialogue between North Macedonia and the US, which was held in June 2022 in Washington. We have the support of our strategic partner, the US, to begin this process which aims to provide a more efficient solution for the challenges of the countries of the region. Additionally, the creation of a new Strategic Concept is a part of the Action Plan resulting from the US Strategic Dialogue, which is expected to be adopted at a government session soon,” said Osmani.

The US – Adriatic Charter is seen as a unique forum for cooperation that brings together the countries of the region and the US. It was established under the auspices of the USA in 2003 and aims to coordinate support activities for countries aspiring towards NATO memberships. Apart from North Macedonia, the members of the initiative also include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro, while Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo have the status of observers. ad/sk/