Skopje, 13 November 2023 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said there are no indications that the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken won’t attend the OSCE Ministerial Council set to be held in Skopje towards the end of November. The procedure is also underway to ensure the arrival of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, whose country is subject to EU sanctions after the war with Ukraine, said Osmani in an interview for “360 Stepeni” on Monday evening.

“The sanctions state that flights are permitted for international organizations such as the OSCE. However, the decision is up to the member states. Our neighbors will need to decide, as do we, regarding our airspace,” said Osmani.

Asked if it is possible that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, won’t attend due to the presence of the Russian diplomat, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office said he hopes that won’t be the case.

“That’s why I went to Kiev two-three weeks ago, to ensure Kuleba’s presence as well. We are still talking,” said Osmani.

According to Osmani, the OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje is expected to be attended by the foreign ministers of Canada, UK, NATO and EU member states, as well as countries from Central Asia. The Foreign Minister said the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister will also attend, marking the first visit of a Thai official to North Macedonia.

Asked about the European Commission’s Progress Report on North Macedonia, Osmani said the overall progress of North Macedonia isn’t threatened.

Photo: Printscreen