Skopje, 24 February 2023 (MIA) – On the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, which was attended by a record number of foreign ministers. In his capacity as chairperson of the largest regional security organization, Osmani called on Russia to stop the war.

“Precisely on this day, I call on the Russian Federation to immediately stop the war, to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, to return to the principles and values of OSCE and of diplomacy. This is the only way to move forward, for the people in Ukraine and the OSCE region,” said Osmani.

Osmani noted that his first visit as OSCE Chairperson was to Ukraine in order to give a clear signal that Ukraine will be the main priority of North Macedonia’s chairpersonship, stressing that it will focus on people above all.

“If there is any lesson to be learned from these 12 months, it is that the people suffer the most during a war. On my visit to Ukraine, I witnessed firsthand the serious effects of the war on people’s lives. They are the first to experience the horrors of war and are direct and collateral damage,” said Osmani.

In his address, the Foreign Minister stressed that the resilience of Ukrainian women and men deserves great admiration and respect and that they have our greatest solidarity and sympathy, stating that the support for them will continue even more decisively.

“We must help the people in Ukraine to rebuild their destroyed hopes and homes. This is our duty and a noble goal. Human suffering must stop now and those responsible must be brought to justice,” said Osmani.

It is sad and paradoxical that 50 years after the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, we are lacking reasons for the celebration of this milestone, and the foundations of the Organization have been completely undermined, he added.

Osmani stressed that North Macedonia, as a chair country, is firmly committed to the principles of OSCE incorporated in the Helsinki Final Act, and condemned any form of aggression as a means to achieve a goal.

“Let me assure you that we will not back down. We cannot and we will not accept what is happening, we will not stand by without taking action. On the contrary, building on the OSCE mechanisms, we will strengthen our efforts to find ways to restore peace and full respect of our principles and commitments,” said Foreign Minister Osmani in his role as OSCE Chairperson. ad/nn/

Photo: MFA