Skopje, 30 November 2023 (MIA) – If the OSCE helped North Macedonia 30 years ago, today, we helped the OSCE to remain the largest regional security organization in Europe, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Wednesday, in a doorstep statement ahead of the opening of the 30th Ministerial Council of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Skopje.

According to the Prime Minister, the country is chairing the Organization in its most difficult year, faced with numerous challenges in light of the “Russia’s unjustified war and aggression against Ukraine”.

“I hope the decisions over a new chairperson, the staffing of the four most significant positions in the OSCE, as well as the adoption of the budget, will be confirmed [at the meeting],” said Kovachevski.

Asked to comment on the absence of several foreign ministers due to Lavrov’s presence, Kovachevski said each country sends its own message over “Russia’s unjustified aggression on Ukraine”.

“We need to be aware that each country in a way sends its own message over Russia’s unjustified aggression on a sovereign country, on Ukraine. Some are doing that through their absence, others through their presence and through very clearly voiced positions over the lack of justification for this aggression. I will do the same in my first address today, at this event,” said the PM.

Kovachevski dismissed claims of a Russian diplomatic victory.

“This is absolutely not a diplomatic victory for Russia, this is a diplomatic victory for the OSCE, since the functioning of the OSCE was put into question. With this, the OSCE will continue to function, it will continue to ensure development of democratic and peace processes in Europe,” said Kovachevski.

The Prime Minister said he would not meet with the Russian Foreign Minister. He voiced expectations for a successful meeting and thanked everyone involved in its organization.

Photo: MIA