(ANSA-AFP) - SKOPJE, NOV 30 - The world's largest regional
security body convened in North Macedonia on Thursday amid
controversy, with Ukraine Poland and the Baltic states
boycotting the summit in protest at the presence of Russia.
Created in 1975 as a forum for dialogue between the Eastern and
Western blocs, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE) -- of which both Russia and Ukraine are part -- is
operating with great difficulty and tensions are running high,
particularly over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moscow
continues to block decisions on elements such as managing the
OSCE's budget and reaching consensus on rotating chairmanship.
Earlier this week, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said
they would boycott the annual ministerial conference due to the
expected presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Poland said Russia's presence was "unacceptable". (ANSA-AFP).
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