Skopje, 25 November 2023 (MIA) - Monday will be D-Day and I expect consensus over the next OSCE chair, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a press briefing on Saturday ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje.

FM Osmani said maximum efforts are invested in reaching an agreement, with Malta serving as an alternative for Estonia, which nomination as 2024 chair is blocked by Russia. 

"National interests must not dominate over the collective interest. We hope for a historic success on Monday and agreement on the next OSCE chair. Our entire focus is on this at the moment. The organization cannot be left without a chair-country," said Osmani.

According to him, if consensus is not reached, OSCE would enter into uncharted waters, since the organization has not faced a similar situation before.

The FM said an informal dinner with a majority of the Ministerial Council participants will take place on November 29, followed by the two official days.

The informal dinner will focus on the OSCE future and the aggression in Ukraine, whereas the Ministerial Council will also tackle climate change, youth, civil society etc.

Photo: MIA