Skopje, 13 November 2023 (MIA) – The possible candidates for next chair of the OSCE will be one of the topics discussed at the EU – Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on Monday afternoon in Brussels, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani at a media briefing Monday.

“We are working hard, I am communicating with most of the foreign ministers. I hope that certain dilemmas will be cleared up during the week, so that we can discuss a concrete solution for the next chair. If there is none, then the decision will probably be made in Skopje. Whether it will be a different participating country, or North Macedonia, will be decided by the Ministerial Council in Skopje. I hope that all foreign ministers will manage to attend the Council in Skopje,” said Osmani in answer to a journalist’s question.

Asked if they are communicating with the Office of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and whether he will attend the Ministerial Council in Skopje, Osmani said there is still no confirmation regarding Lavrov’s presence at the event in Skopje.

“We are processing the requests of all members of the Russian delegation regarding visas and their arrival to North Macedonia. Once we have a solution, we will inform you,” said Osmani.

Regarding Russia’s participation in the OSCE Ministerial Council, Osmani said last week that he had received a letter from the Russian Foreign Minister in which he expressed an interest and request to attend the event, however, according to Osmani, logistical challenges exist due to the fact that Macedonian airspace is closed to Russian state flights.

Seventy-six delegations from OSCE participating countries and partners will participate in the OSCE Ministerial Council to be held in Skopje on November 29 and December 1. Around 1.000 guests are expected to attend the event.

Photo: MIA Archive