Skopje, 5 December 2024 (MIA) - Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski briefly met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinekn at the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta on Thursday, thanking Washington for its support to North Macedonia's European integration.

Deputy FM Dimitrovski expressed assurance that obstacles on the country's European integration path would be overcome with the support of United States, in dialogue with Sofia.

"Secretary Blinken highlighted our partnership in NATO and thanked Macedonia for its role as an active partner in the Alliance. He promised to convey the messages of support for the integration of the country and the Western Balkans in the EU, as well as peace and stability in the area to his successor in the incoming US administration," said Dimitrovski in a Facebook post.

In the capacity of 2023 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Deputy FM chaired the second session of the OSCE Ministerial Council, attended by foreign ministers and senior officials of 57 participating states and 11 Asian and Mediterranean cooperation partners.

In his remarks, Dimitrovski condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine and joined the calls for the Russian Federation to withdraw its troops and put an end to the war and people's suffering.

"This war must stop. The courageous and resilient citizens of Ukraine deserve a dignified and just peace. After the end of the aggression, OSCE will be able to fully realize its mission of dialogue, building of trust and promotion of comprehensive security," said Dimitrovski.

During the Ministerial Council, Dimitrovski also addressed the panel discussion dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, reaffirming the commitment for consistent implementation of policies and processes to ensure gender equality across the OSCE area.

Photo: Zoran Dimitrovski Facebook