Skopje, 17 March 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani participated Friday in the 16th Stabilisation and Association Council meeting between North Macedonia and the EU, which was held in Skopje for the first time. In his address, Osmani stressed that the country is fully committed to the negotiations process and the implementation of the European agenda, with a focus on reaching a consensus between the political parties on key areas from the reforms.

“Whether our goal, full-fledged EU membership by 2030, is realized depends only on us,” said Osmani.

According to the MFA, Osmani stressed that North Macedonia continues to hold a constructive role in the region, providing essential contribution for further deepening of good-neighborly relations, regional cooperation and regional security.

“We are recognized as a country from the region which nurtures a culture of dialogue and peaceful resolution to disputes, the meeting that we will host tomorrow in Ohrid reaffirms this,” said Osmani.

The Foreign Minister noted North Macedonia’s active membership in all regional initiatives, highlighting the Berlin Process as the main driver of regional cooperation, and the Open Balkan as a complementary initiative to the Berlin Process, originating from the region.

At the same time, Osmani pointed out that in 2023 the country has been entrusted with the Chairpersonship of the largest regional security organization – OSCE, as well as the US – Adriatic Charter (A5) and the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which represents a great responsibility for the country at the current geopolitical moment.ad/nn/