Skopje, 1 December 2023 (MIA) - OSCE is now saved. We've preserved the organization and its operations for the people. All members have unanimously supported Malta's appointment as the next chair, as well as the extension of the mandates for the Secretary General and the three institutions within the Organization. This was announced by the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, during the final press conference of the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council, which took place in Skopje over the past three days.

He also congratulated Malta, expressing gratitude for undertaking this mission in challenging times, as well as acknowledging the dedicated work of the Secretary General and the High Representatives for National Minorities and Freedom of the Media, and the Head of the ODIHR Office, wishing them success in continuing their work.

“This is the most significant political event on our territory, and this meeting occurred during extraordinary times, as we witness continual attacks and a war against Ukraine, as well as human suffering. In various ways, history repeats. Challenges are present today and will continue tomorrow. Here in the Balkans, we may hesitate to characterize events as historical, but this Ministerial Council has already been designated as historic. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has called into question the European security architecture, but it has also raised doubts about the very existence of the Organization. That's why this council is revolutionary,” stated Osmani.

When asked by a journalist if there was any "negotiation" with Russia in reaching the agreements at the Ministerial meeting, Osmani said that compromise is at the heart of the Organization. He expressed satisfaction that decisions were made unanimously in such a challenging year, underscoring that there was no compromising on the values of the Organization.

“We strongly condemned the Russian military aggression, and at the same time, we transformed the OSCE into a platform for holding Russia legally accountable. There was no compromise on the principles of the Organization,” Osmani said.