President Stevo Pendarovski received today Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.
At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the overall activities of the OSCE in the country in view of protection of the rights of various communities, as well as the cooperation of state institutions with international organizations and the civil sector on these issues.
President Pendarovski stressed that the Republic of North Macedonia is a positive example of a functioning multiethnic democracy in terms of respecting and promoting the rights of different communities, as well as in the approach of building tolerance and trust, in line with the OSCE values and commitments.
The President added that in the country there is a significant step forward in promoting the language rights of non-majority communities, and in terms of gender issues there are several programs that are actively worked on, in the policy-making and decision-making processes and their impact on gender equality in the country.
At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the current preparations for the presidency of the Republic of North Macedonia with the OSCE in 2023. The President stressed that the country plans to promote priorities of common interest, reflecting the vision of the OSCE member states, guided by the principles of this organization. In that regard, North Macedonia will have close cooperation with the High Commissioner on National Minorities, working on the promotion of human rights and the rights of non-majority communities.
At the meeting, President Pendarovski stressed the long-standing cooperation with the OSCE and the support in advancing democratic reforms, which is of great importance in the context of the country’s aspirations for membership in the European Union.
