Munich, 18 February 2023 (MIA) — North Macedonia has a clear foreign policy position: there is no alternative to international cooperation on security issues, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told MIA in Munich, where he is taking part in the 59th Munich Security Conference.

Prime Minister Kovachevski said North Macedonia participates in NATO and UN peacekeeping missions and chairs the OSCE in 2023, focusing on the protection and security of people.

“Our key priority is Ukraine but also other areas where there is a need to promote peace and security,” he said.

He also said this year's Munich Conference is taking place at pivotal moment for security and will focus on Europe in light of the war in Ukraine.

Later in the day, the prime minister is set to speak at a panel discussion dedicated to the security of the Western Balkans and the region’s European integration.

Panelists will also discuss energy and cyber security, protection against cyber attacks and the promotion of regional security cooperation, MIA’s reporter from Munich writes.

Earlier, Kovachevski held his first bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He will also meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and other top officials.

Kovachevski in Munich is leading a government delegation including Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani as 2023 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

The 59th Munich Security Conference gathers key decision-makers from around the world for three days of intensive debates. More than 45 heads of state and government are attending, joined by nearly 100 ministers from all corners of the globe as well as the heads of many of the most important international organizations such as the UN, NATO, and the EU. mr/