Skopje, 5 July 2023 (MIA) – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) on Wednesday in Strasbourg, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release.

According to the press release, at the halfway point of North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship, Osmani presented the current activities in his role as Chairperson, highlighting his visits to Ukraine, Moldova, South Caucasus, as well as Serbia and Kosovo as key activities, and stressing the continued work of OSCE in these crucial regions for the Organization. 

“We live in a period of democratic backsliding and security challenges due to the Russian military aggression on Ukraine, which undermines the principles our organizations are founded on. Which is why, a priority of our chairpersonship is to secure meaningful support for Ukraine and its people. Once peace is restored and Russia withdraws its troops outside Ukraine’s sovereign territory, OSCE will place all its capacities at disposal for the country’s post-war recovery,” said Osmani in his address.

Apart from the plan for Ukraine, Osmani touched upon other longstanding conflicts and instability in the OSCE region, presenting roadmaps for their gradual solution, leading to long-term stability and peace.

“The nine-point plan for de-escalation of the recent tensions in Kosovo is to that end as well, and it will secure further normalization,” said Osmani, stressing that the Chairpersonship places people first, and the improvement of their daily life, in all its plans.

According to Osmani, OSCE is involved in a wide array of important areas for people, and is focusing its Southeast Europe capacities on reconciliation, fight against corruption and climate change. “Despite the challenges faced by the Organization, it will remain fully committed to its priorities,” stressed Osmani.

“A functional and flexible OSCE, which will help restore peace and security and prevent future conflicts in the Organization’s region. The promotion of people’s security by supporting sustainable economic growth, ecological cooperation, and promotion of human rights, democracy and rule of law as prerequisites for overall security. It is precisely these priorities that unite the activities of the OSCE and the CoE whose joint work is more relevant and needed than ever before,” said Osmani.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs