North Macedonia’s Handling of Lavrov’s OSCE Visit and Related Flight Permissions
The government of North Macedonia confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was granted permission to travel to Skopje to participate in the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. The announcement, reported by TASS, reflects the Macedonian cabinet’s official stance on the matter. [TASS]
According to the government, a decision was made to amend an existing directive about restrictive measures on Russia. The update clarifies that the security framework of the European Union, including joint foreign and external trade policies, may be interpreted to allow certain exceptions for international conferences. In practical terms, the amendment authorizes the competent ministries of foreign affairs and defense to grant flight and landing permits to Russian aircraft when such events fall within the 30th OSCE Ministerial Meeting, scheduled to take place in Skopje from November 29 to December 1, 2023. [TASS]
The government stated that this addition aligns with EU regulations and the specific restrictive measures that provide exemptions for international conferences, such as the OSCE summit in Skopje. The clarification was issued to ensure procedural consistency while accommodating the international gathering. [TASS]
Earlier in September, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, indicated that North Macedonian officials had announced three diplomats at the Russian embassy in Skopje as persona non grata, offering no public explanation for the move. This development underscores ongoing diplomatic friction between Moscow and several EU member states. [RIA Novosti]
It is also noted that most European countries, including North Macedonia, had restricted flights from the Russian Federation following February 24, 2022, as part of broader sanctions and security measures in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The broader context shows a pattern of tightened airspace controls and a cautious approach to Russian state actors in European airspace. [BBC Monitoring]
In public rhetoric, Lavrov has previously accused Western states of leveraging regional dynamics, with mentions of Montenegro and North Macedonia appearing in such critiques. These statements reflect the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding EU and NATO-aligned states and their responses to Moscow’s diplomatic and security posture. [Interfax]