The Russian delegation will come to Skopje if Bulgaria fulfills its promise to open its airspace to Russian planes – said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Macedonian media reported.
Lavrov has stated that he received an invitation from North Macedonia to attend the OSCE ministerial meeting from November 29th to December 1st in Skopje and that Bulgaria allegedly promised to open its airspace for his plane.
“Let’s wait and see. We already have several requests for meetings (in Skopje), including from Western officials, in case we come there. Of course, we will meet with everyone,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added.
The Chairman of the OSCE and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, said on Saturday that the arrival of the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the informal dinner ahead of the meeting of the OSCE ministers was confirmed, but that he “can’t say that yet” about Lavrov.
“Blinken‘s arrival has been confirmed, I can say that now. Depending on their agendas, everyone comes at a different time in those three days. I am expecting Secretary of State Blinken at the informal dinner. On which of the three days the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation will come, I cannot say at this moment,” said Osmani.
76 delegations from member and partner countries of the organization will participate in the OSCE ministerial council in Skopje from November 29th – December 1st, and a total of around 1.000 guests are expected in the delegations.
E.Dz.
