The initial results from the start of the vetting of diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that the employment contracts of two persons will be terminated because they do not have a security certificate from the security services, informed today the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani.

-One person during a security status check was denied his request for a security certificate and did not pass the first filter. I have not received explanation about the reasons for the refusal, and a procedure for termination of the employment has been initiated. Another person used an inappropriate certificate. That person also does not pass the initial vetting and a termination of employment will follow. Hence, it can be concluded that two persons did not pass the vetting, said Osmani to a journalist question at today’s press conference at the headquarters of his party DUI in Skopje.

He pointed out that it is not the group of diplomats for which Armenia issued international warrants through the Interpol.

Within the framework of the thorough checks, he added, it has also been concluded that six people had failed to request renewal of their security certificates on time. After indications that it could be a matter of a technical oversight, these persons, he says, have been given a deadline of seven days to correct this mistake and to request appropriate certification.

-After the expiration of the deadline, the status of the initial vetting for each one of them will be reviewed individually and according to the findings it will be decided on the termination of the restriction and their full return to the working obligations or on initiation of a process of termination of employment depending on how it goes, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Osmani.

Translation: N. Cvetkovska