Skopje, 12 October 2023 (MIA) - Several scenarios are in play regarding the 2024 OSCE Chairpersonship after the end of North Macedonia's term, one being the extension of our mandate for another year, said Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani on Thursday.

Osmani told a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that only Estonia has submitted a candidacy for the 2024 Chairpersonship but the Russian Federation has blocked it until now, because OSCE decisions are taken by consensus from all 57 member-states.

"The Russian Federation clearly said at the last meeting on September 26 it would not support Estonia. Therefore, we set up a group of the Chairpersonship Friends, which is consulting with other countries that can serve as alternative solutions. You have recorded my recent travels to Central Asia and other states. We are seeking for an alternative chair-country for 2024, since Finland is already approved for 2025," said Osmani.

According to him, OSCE cannot not function without a chair and that is why intensive efforts have been invested in finding a country on which a consensus would be reached. 

"If this is not the case, one of the scenarios is to extend North Macedonia's term by another year, but this decision also requires consensus," said Osmani.