Skopje, 15 February 2023 (MIA) – Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani held a panel discussion with the country's civil society sector and youth organizations on Wednesday, during which he announced the organization of Prespa Forum Dialogue (PFD) 2023, set to be held in Struga on June 15-16.

“PFD is slowly finding its place on the map of recognizable international forums and is growing into a brand. From a practical point of view, PFD is the only forum with a comprehensive subject matter that is taking place in the Western Balkans. Its value and importance have been affirmed by the extremely positive assessments of numerous high-ranking participants – from a dozen of heads of states and prime ministers, foreign ministers, representatives of international and regional organizations and, of course, civil society, including civil society organizations from abroad, with some prominent think-tanks expressing interest in establishing cooperation with PFD. Such a positive image also creates the obligation for this year’s event to be equally well thought out and organized,” said FM Osmani.

Osmani spoke about the initiated activities for the organization of this year’s Forum, noting that PFD2023 will reflect the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Prespa Agreement, North Macedonia’s current chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the US – Adriatic Charter (A5) and the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) at a complex geopolitical moment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

The FM underlined that PFD2023 will strive to promote constructive dialogue, good-neighborliness and cooperation with the goal of finding diplomatic solutions for current and future challenges on a regional and international level. Some of the other topics of the Forum will be the fight against corruption, hybrid threats, migrations, malign foreign influence, international restrictive measures as well as the Euro-integration of the Western Balkans.

Regarding the youth, Osmani said there are plans to hold a separate Youth PFD2023 on June 14, in order for the youth representatives to be able to share the conclusions of their discussions at the sessions and panels on June 15 and 16.

“By organizing PFD, we strive, both as a country and a region, to contribute to the promotion of dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, which are key elements in international relations and represent a cornerstone of peace and long-term security,” stressed the Minister.

The panel discussion included  exchange of ideas and opinions in the context of the thematic aspect of PFD2023, with quality input from the civil society and youth organizations that will enrich the preparations for another successful PFD, reads the press release. ad/ik/