FM Dimitrov attends OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna


Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov attends the 24. OSCE Ministerial Council, taking place in Vienna on November 7-8.

‘As OSCE participating states we are obliged to intensify our efforts in order to make the Organization more efficient in responding to challenges. At the same time we should cooperate and always take into consideration the higher goal. But above all, as Macedonia has learned the hard way from its recent political crisis, we must not allow any alternative to our common values: protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic standards, economic liberty and accountability – values that are also beneficial for the Macedonian democracy and the road we are strongly committed to – the EU and the Euro-Atlantic integration’, Dimitrov told the gathering.

On the event’s sidelines, Dimitrov held talks with OSCE officials and his colleagues, including Dutch FM Halbe Zijlstra and UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

Today Dimitrov also took part in a panel on OSCE role and future field operations chaired by Secretary General Thomas Greminger, at which two successful stories were presented – the Macedonian and Moldovan.

The Ministerial Council is the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE. The meeting, held annually, provides the Foreign Ministers of the 57 OSCE participating states an opportunity to review and assess the Organization’s activities and strengthen the dialogue on security issues in the OSCE area.