Skopje, 12 July 2023 (MIA) - Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani took part Tuesday at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers within the Alliance Summit in Vilnius.

The meeting took part in light of the agreement by which Sweden is set to join the transatlantic family as its 32nd member, a move that will contribute to further strengthening of NATO and long-term security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

Meeting participants highlighted the significance of the NATO open-door policy, with Osmani noting it must continue, including for the Balkans and Ukraine. They agreed that NATO and EU membership represent the strongest guarantee for regional and European stability.

"Strong links and cooperation between NATO and EU are especially significant for the stability of our region but also Europe. We should work together and be committed to accelerating the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes of the countries in the Western Balkans as an important tool to strengthen regional security, especially amid the current geopolitical context," said FM Osmani.

Allies once again condemned the Russian military aggression and the unity in support to Ukraine, while stressing the commitment for an increase of the long-term practical support to the country, ensuring full interoperability with NATO member-states in the future, reads the press release.

Photo: MIA archive