Vilnius, 9 November 2022 (MIA) - Current developments in the Western Balkan region, the country's EU integration process, challenges arising from the war in Ukraine and the role of North Macedonia and Lithuania as NATO members were discussed by Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Nielsen, during a meeting Wednesday in Vilnius. Both Osmani and Nielsen welcomed the activities of the mutual cooperation groups established in the parliaments of North Macedonia and Lithuania, the Foreign Ministry said. "During last year's visit to North Macedonia by the Lithuanian interparliamentary group for cooperation with the Western Balkan countries, the mutual interest for closer cooperation was affirmed having in mind that parliamentary cooperation is a key tool to strengthen the democracy and one of the pillars of the overall relations of the two countries," said the press release. In Vilnius, Osmani visited the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence to meet with its management and discuss the energy crisis, possible cooperation with the Centre, using the expertise in addressing challenges regarding energy supply as well as diversification of resources for future energy supply in our country. "The interlocutors concluded that energy resources are being abused by some actors, which requires joint actions in solidarity within the Alliance," said the press release. As part of today's visit to Lithuania, the Minister will take part in the 2022 Future of Democracy Forum, held for the second time in Vilnius as a preparation for the 2023 Democracy Summit, organized by US President Joe Biden. Earlier, Osmani met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, and thanked him for his country's consistent and strong support for Skopje's EU integration bid and support for a stable and democratic Western Balkans and the region's full integration into the EU soon. Osmani's Baltic tour also includes stops in Estonia and Latvia.