Skopje, 1 December 2023 (MIA) – The decisions made by participating states here, in Skopje, will enable the OSCE’s work to continue; to continue to support security, stability, human rights, and fundamental freedoms throughout the OSCE area, said the Secretary General of the OSCE, Helga Maria Schmid, at the closing press conference of the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council on Friday.

“I am ready to play my part, alongside my colleagues from the three institutions, this is not about us, we are here to serve the aims of the Organization. Today is a success for the OSCE. In the current circumstances, finding common ground on any topic is a challenge and I will not pretend otherwise,” said Schmid.

The Secretary General stressed that the Organization is based on principles and commitments agreed by all participating states, nearly 50 years ago, adding that “it is meant to not only address a range of security challenges but also to hold its participants to account, this is what happened over the last two days”.

Schmid underlined that all 57 participating states agreed to select Malta as the 2024 Chair, noting that “it will provide the continuity needed to keep this Organization delivering on its mandate.” 

The Secretary General said the motto of North Macedonia’s Chairpersonship, “It’s About People”, could not be more appropriate for the work of the Organization.

“All that we do, whether working to tackle corruption and organized crime, or monitoring elections, or, take small arms and light weapons, there are millions of such illicit weapons across the OSCE area, and we are tirelessly working to address this challenge. We are also enhancing the safety of women journalists, we are training border guards on human rights standards, all of this is in support of people across our region and beyond. All this, and much more, is done in support of the women and men that call our region home,” said Schmid.

The OSCE Secretary General thanked the staff of the Organization, and called for the immediate release of the three staff members detained in Russia.

Schmid stressed that Malta has long played important roles in support of peace and security, and voiced her conviction that it will apply the same skilled and principled leadership as Chair of the Organization in 2024.

“I look forward to working with you and your team, and on behalf of all the staff, you can count on our full support,” said the Secretary General of the OSCE.

Photo: MIA