Statement by H.E. Ms. Eglantina Gjermeni, Ambassador, Permanent Representative
1534th PC Agenda item: Address by the incoming Chairperson-in-Office
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
We joined the statement delivered by the European Union, but I would like to make some remarks on our national capacity.
It is an honour for my delegation to warmly welcome Federal Councillor Ignacio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, to the Permanent Council. We are grateful to you, Minister Cassis, for presenting at an early stage the tentative priorities of Switzerland’s Chairpersonship for 2026.
We are confident that under your leadership, the Organization will benefit from Switzerland’s long-standing experience in inclusive and consensus-driven governance.
We have taken careful note of the priorities outlined by you. They resonate deeply with Albania’s own approach to security and cooperation. In particular, the emphasis on defending the Helsinki Principles and working toward a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine reflects the OSCE at its best: principled, yet pragmatic; inclusive, yet unwavering on core commitments.
Albania fully shares the vision of the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship for 2026 in addressing both the opportunities and risks stemming from new technologies and putting technology at service of common good. In this field, Albania has pioneered the first full AI model in public procurement, with the intention of not only wiping out every potential influence on public procurement, but also making the process much faster, much more efficient and totally accountable.
In international fora, including the WSIS+20 process and beyond, Albania actively supports multilateral dialogue, capacity-building, and scientific diplomacy, with a view to fostering innovation, bridging digital divides, and harnessing technology to promote peace, stability, and inclusive development across the OSCE area.
Albania also attaches special importance to the priority on cooperative security, on advancing democracy, rule of law and human rights. Supporting the three autonomous institutions and strengthening democratic institutions is indispensable for our common security and peace.
Equally, Albania strongly supports Switzerland’s intention to strengthen the OSCE’s own capacity for action. Ensuring the Organization’s sustainability, financing, and ability to deliver on the ground is essential at a time of multiple and overlapping crises.
These priorities show a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges facing our common security and a readiness to lead with innovation and courage.
Let me also express our sincere appreciation to Finland for its dedicated stewardship of the Organization during a time of unprecedented challenges. Finland’s tireless efforts to achieve important decisions for the OSCE, including on future Chairpersonships and the Unified Budget, deserve our full support and recognition.
Minister Cassis,
Beyond the excellent bilateral relations between Albania and Switzerland, we have witnessed first-hand the value of our cooperation in multilateral fora; from Switzerland’s support to Albania during its OSCE Chairpersonship in 2020 to our close coordination as fellow members of the United Nations Security Council in 2023, and currently as fellow members of the UN Human Rights Council. We look forward to continuing this spirit of partnership as Switzerland assumes the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026.
I thank you.
