Skopje, 21 June 2022 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani spoke over the phone Tuesday with Swedish counterpart Ann Linde, focusing on foreign policy and security priorities of both countries, North Macedonia’s European prospects, Sweden’s application to join NATO and the current international challenges amid the altered geopolitical context. Osmani thanked Linde for Sweden’s continued commitment to the EU enlargement process and Stockholm’s principled position that the Council decision of March 2020 regarding the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia should be implemented as soon as possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. The FM also thanked his Swedish counterpart for the support to North Macedonia’s strengthening of institutional capacities, especially in the field of democracy, rule of law, human rights, gender equality, climate, protection of eco-systems, inclusive economic development. Osmani noted that North Macedonia, being the latest NATO member, is a champion of the open-door policy of the Alliance based on merit, and the right of every nation to choose or change its own security arrangements, including their foreign policy course, reads the press release.