Skopje, 30 November 2023 (MIA) - This event represents the culmination of our OSCE Chairpersonship, which is not an easy task even in regular circumstances, but when we were given the honour to chair the largest regional and security organization back in December 2020, it was hard to imagine the turbulence and challenges the OSCE area would face since, both in a geopolitical context and the escalation of security challenges, and the functionality and future of the organization itself, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in the opening remarks at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje on Thursday.

"OSCE's vision as a platform for cooperative and comprehensive security was put to a serious test, something that the people of Ukraine have felt the most. The military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has continued with great intensity and devastating consequences, thus confirming it is unjustified and unjust," said PM Kovachevski.

Each passing day and lives lost, he added, represent a cruel confirmation of the assessment that the military aggression is an act of flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the OSCE principles and the fundamental premises of international law, but first and foremost, the values of humanity.

The PM said the people of Ukraine deserve peace and reaching peace that is just and sustainable remains to be an imperative.

"This war continues to undermine OSCE's foundations as well. Therefore, a key security issue for our region and beyond, the central priority of our Chairpersonship was and still is to ensure support to Ukraine and its people through OSCE's dimensions," noted Kovachevski.

He added that North Macedonia's Chairpersonship also tackled other frozen conflicts and regional instabilities across the OSCE region, such as the process of settling the Transnistria issue, the situation in the South Caucasus and the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as tensions in the north of Kosovo.

"Let's put for a moment the national agendas aside, which can be resolved in the best way through peaceful cooperation within a multilateral system based on rules and observance of the fundamental values and principles. No country, regardless of size and might, cannot prosper in isolation or manage the complex challenges of the 21st century by itself in the long term," said Kovachevski.

He noted that North Macedonia - a strong supporter of multilateralism and direct beneficiary of OSCE's role in the implementation of democratic reforms and progress in various fields - firmly believes that the organization is capable of making a difference in the field, something that the Macedonian society has witnessed through the OSCE/ODIHR observation missions at elections.

"It is our Chairpersonship slogan - It's about People - that reflects this belief. Long discussions at international fora should not be an abstract construct but lead to concrete solutions that benefit the citizens," said Kovachevski.

He recalled on the times after the breakup of former Yugoslavia, when the country was faced with a number of challenges both nationally and internationally.

"Through this maturing process, we walked on the long and bumpy road of international recognition and accession in various multilateral organizations. This sometimes required difficult decisions and compromises, but true leadership means continued search for solutions and progress. Thus, from beneficiary of security and preventive peacekeeping missions, North Macedonia is today recognized as a factor of stability and active contributor to security in the region and beyond," said Kovachevski.

Considering all of this, he added, the fact that North Macedonia is today hosting the OSCE Ministerial Council is even more significant.

"We want to give back to the organization that has contributed to the progress of our vibrant, inclusive and diverse democratic society since 1992. I hope our sincere efforts for a strong, proactive, engaged and competent OSCE leadership are evident, thus contributing to greater stability. We build upon the commitment that is the best way forward - to stimulate an inclusive, comprehensive and open dialogue based on the fundamental principles of multilateralism in the heart of our organization," said Kovachevski.

The PM concluded that "everyone in OSCE needs peace, stability, renewed trust and cooperation, and history will judge us by our actions".

The OSCE Ministerial Council is attended by about 1,000 delegates from 57 member-states and partners.