North Macedonian government explains decision to allow Russian foreign minister to attend OSCE meeting

Bujar Osmani, North Macedonia's Foreign Minister, has commented on the government's decision to allow Russian planes carrying a delegation to participate in an Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ministerial meeting to fly over its territory. Source: Libertas.mk, citing Osmani, as reported by European Pravda Details: The official said he, as foreign minister, stood against Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to North Macedonia.

"However, Lavrov is not coming on a bilateral visit, but to a country where an OSCE meeting will be held," Osmani said.

The 360 Stepeni news outlet has learned that during the government meeting, North Macedonia's Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska abstained from voting on the permission for the plane carrying Lavrov to pass through. Commenting on this, Osmani added that he "stands on the same line as Minister Petrovska, but we need to feel the difference". The official also said talks are currently underway with other countries regarding a plane flight involving Lavrov.

"There are few options: Bulgaria and Greece. Once we have made the decision, I don't see why they would object. Lavrov has been to New York in the United States for a UN meeting; he has not arrived in the United States on a bilateral visit.

He is not going to Skopje; he is heading to the OSCE. We should feel the difference," the North Macedonian minister added. Asked about Kyiv's position on Lavrov's visit, Osmani noted that he is in constant communication with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

"I have been to Kyiv; I understand how sensitive this issue is, making our work even more challenging. In this case, one person's arrival puts another's coming at risk. The key thing for us is to keep the OSCE healthy and alive after the Ministerial Council," Osmani said.

Background:

Earlier, reports emerged that the North Macedonian government has allowed Russian planes carrying a delegation to participate in a ministerial meeting of the OSCE to fly over its territory.
Media reports suggest that the Russian delegation will consist of a total of 85 people: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, "his doctor, technical staff, security", 17 diplomats, including Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, and 24 journalists.

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