American diplomat Michael R. Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to OSCE, responds to Russian criticism at the 30th Ministerial Council meeting in Skopje, N Macedonia on Friday, Dec 1, 2023. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Conclusion of the OSCE's 30th Ministerial Council Meeting with a joint press conference featuring Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Ion Borg, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Shmid in Skopje, N Macedonia on Friday, Dec 1, 2023. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, addresses a press briefing alongside both Russian and international journalists during the 30th Ministerial Council meeting of the OSCE in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Friday, December 1, 2023. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting, chaired by North Macedonia, continues in Skopje. Vudi Xhymshiti/VX Photo.

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met with Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at 7 pm on Wednesday at the Government. This diplomatic engagement, which took place ahead of the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council, underscored the significance of the discussions held during the meeting.

Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia will meet under EU mediation in Ohrid, North Macedonia on Saturday to discuss the implementation of a deal on normalizing ties. This agreement is crucial for their aspirations of joining the EU. The meeting will focus on fulfilling an 11-point agreement put forth by the EU to end decades of enmity. EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that the implementation of the EU normalization proposal agreed upon by Serbia and Kosovo in Brussels last month will benefit the entire Western Balkans region. The EU expects them to agree on the implementation annexe of the agreement, which is a crucial part of the document. Borrell expressed that if this occurs, it will be a big step forward toward the European Union path for the Western Balkans.

Macedonian Orthodox believers attend the morning mass of the Orthodox Christmas in the St. Kliment Central Orthodox Church in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Saturday, Jan 7, 2023. Most Macedonians belong to the Orthodox faith. In 2001 the Church had about 1,350,000 adherents in North Macedonia. According to the Julian calendar, Macedonian Orthodox believers will celebrate Christmas this Saturday. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

People walk by and cycle in the North Macedonian capital Skopje on Thursday, Jan 5, 2023 - ahead of Orthodox Christmas. Most Macedonians belong to the Orthodox faith. In 2001 the Church had about 1,350,000 adherents in North Macedonia. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)