Skopje, 21 September 2023 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in his capacity as the Chairperson-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) hosted on Thursday a working lunch for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SEECP member states, which was held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The event was co-organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

According to the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the debate focused on the European integration process of the countries of Southeast Europe, “seen through the prism of the continuous Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has a deep impact on the security and stability in Europe.”

Referring to North Macedonia’s SEECP Chairpersonship under the motto “Bridging Divides, Building Trust,” Osmani pointed out the country’s priorities during the mandate. Focus will be placed on strengthening democracy, reconciliation, regional cooperation and acceleration of Euro-Atlantic integration. Considering that SEECP is the most comprehensive regional initiative in Southeast Europe, Osmani highlighted the necessity of joint engagement on all issues of vital interest to the region, reads the press release.

Osmani presented the concept of "More integration before membership" for the candidates and potential candidates for EU membership, which envisages concrete benefits during the negotiation process before formal membership.

“We expect the European Union to soon reveal a new growth plan that should help us as candidates to revive the process, stimulate economic growth and speed up reforms that are also expensive to implement. The goal is for our economies to experience larger growth, which requires the support of the member states of the SEECP, which are also members of the EU, as well as progressive integration in the single market, followed by widened participation in EU institutions,” Osmani said.

North Macedonia assumes the Chairpersonship-in-Office of the SEECP for the period July 2023-June 2024.

North Macedonia has been a part of the initiative since the very beginning, and has chaired it on two occasions in 2000-2001 and 2012-2013.

“The SEECP is the third important initiative that North Macedonia is chairing this year,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs