Skopje, 29 April 2024 (MIA) — Despite complicated regional and global developments, North Macedonia positioned itself on the international scene as an active and reliable factor and it has never been closer to the EU; so it is important to further develop career diplomats' skills according to European standards, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a press conference marking 55 years since the establishment of the country's diplomatic service.

During that time, Minister Osmani said, the MFA had held fast to its unwavering commitment to developing international relations that positioned North Macedonia "as an equal country, a member of all important regional and international organizations, a country honoring international principles and rules, helping others in trouble, and most importantly, a modern and stable state."

Thanking all MFA staff on their professionalism, consistency, dedication, enthusiasm and love for their country, Osmani listed a number of foreign policy achievements over the past four years he had been at the helm of the ministry.

As the state's greatest successes, Osmani highlighted its NATO membership, the start of negotiations with the EU, and achieving full compliance with the foreign and security policy of the EU. 

He also highlighted the start of the Strategic Dialogue with the US, which had strengthened bilateral relatons; the diplomatic response to the threats posed by Russia's military aggression in Ukraine and the country's support of Ukraine; and the deployment of forces in NATO-led missions on the Alliance's eastern flank.

"We made considerable changes at the regional level, asserting ourselves as a regional leader in promoting good neighborly policy by finding solutions to long-standing open bilateral issues as well as through newly acquired regional positions and promoting regional stability," Osmani said.

He pointed out the Prespa Dialogue Forum, which is in its fourth year, as especially valuable for regional development and cooperation. He also mentioned in this context the Balkan 6 informal platform for political cooperation; the country's initiative to support investment projects along Corridor 8 between North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Italy; and the responsibility of being the depository of the three international agreements signed between North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo as part of the Berlin Process on the mutual recognition of identity cards, university diplomas and professional qualifications.

Osmani also spoke about North Macedonia's successful chairpersonships of OSCE and the US–Adriatic Charter in 2023 and the ongoing chairpersonship of the South-East European Cooperation Process.

He said the country strengthened its political dialogue with EU and NATO member states; strengthened its ties with diaspora community members; filled vacancies in its diplomatic missions, and achieved fair representation at all levels in the MFA.

"That is why I can proudly conclude today that despite being conditioned by complicated regional and international developments, we managed to place North Macedonia on the pedestal of the international scene as an active, trustworthy and credible factor," Osmani said. 

"Our diplomats' great battles will not stop here. North Macedonia has never been closer to the EU, so it is of crucial importance to further develop the skills of our diplomacy in accordance with European standards. 

"At the same time, we have to continue building our diplomacy's capability to respond to the scale, character, speed and dynamics of existing and no doubt future challenges, making sure the new generation of diplomats feel inspired, make progress, and work hard on maintaining the country's relevance and high reputation," Osmani said, offering his best wishes to his colleagues at the MFA and diplomatic missions abroad.

The usual awards ceremony could not be held this year, Osmani added, because of the elections.

The MFA was originally established as a Foreign Relations Bureau on April 29, 1969. In 1991, after the country's independence, it was transformed into a Secretariat for Foreign Relations. Three years later, it was renamed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. mr/