Belgrade, 25 May 2023 (MIA) – Serbia's relations with North Macedonia are improving and are unburdened by various negative influences and disinformation, assessed Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić at a joint press conference Thursday with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani, reports MIA’s Belgrade correspondent.

“Allow me to express our great satisfaction with the progress in relations with North Macedonia, they are unburdened by various negative influences and disinformation and misinterpretations, and are improving. Macedonia’s Open Balkan membership is important for us, and I agree with Bujar Osmani that this is not only an economic initiative, but also an initiative that represents a step forward towards reconciliation in the region. I think it is very important for North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia to continue with this initiative, and as its very name states, Open Balkan is open for the participation of other countries as well,” said Dačić.

The Serbian FM voiced his satisfaction over the external trade of EUR 1.5 billion with North Macedonia, and said more work should be done on joint protection of cultural wealth, monuments and everything else.

Dačić added that the positive agenda in relations is a continuation of the joint session between the two governments and the activities related to the Open Balkan initiative.

The Serbian Foreign Minister, talking about his meeting with the OSCE Chairperson, Minister Osmani, said he understands the complexity of work in OSCE, the adoption of decisions by consensus and expressed regret over the fact OSCE did not monitor the elections in Kosovo. He stressed the issue of the Serbians in Kosovo and the reserves over the election of a new OSCE Chairperson for the coming year.

At the press conference after the meeting, Macedonian Foreign Minister Osmani said OSCE supports the reform processes, fight against corruption and regional reconciliation, and that dialogue is an efficient tool which can be seen in the example of North Macedonia.

“We can never stop discussing issues important for the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, we are glad we could host the Ohrid agreement, which will contribute to the continuation of this process and regional stability. I will reaffirm this support tomorrow as well, when I visit Pristina. OSCE sees itself as a platform for the promotion of human interests and our focus is peace and prosperity,” said Osmani in Belgrade.

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