Thank you, Mr. Chairperson,
Albania warmly congratulates North Macedonia on assuming the OSCE Chairpersonship this year. It is a real pleasure to have here with us today the Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, His Excellency Bujar Osmani. We are particularly happy that North Macedonia’s chairpersonship was decided during the Albanian Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2020, at the Tirana Ministerial Council.
Chairing the OSCE in 2023 promises to be yet another challenging task. The OSCE is not the same since 24 February and it will never be the same due to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which we condemn in the strongest possible terms.
This illegal war – waged in flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the founding documents of the OSCE – continues to cause immense suffering, daily loss of civilian lives, including children, destruction of civilian infrastructure, mass forced deportations, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and a humanitarian, economic crisis, the effects of which are felt in Ukraine and globally.
What’s happening in Ukraine has sent shockwaves across all OSCE dimensions. Therefore, Albania supports North Macedonia’s focus first and foremost on Ukraine as the most pressing issue of European security today.
Mr. Chair,
The OSCE executive structures are a steadfast contributor to our comprehensive security and able to make a difference on the ground. The Secretariat, the institutions and the field operations, have shown yet again their value and resilience. We should give them without further delay the means, the resources and the ability to implement their mandates. We therefore appreciate North Macedonia’s approach in support of a functional and flexible OSCE.
Our Organization serves one billion people. It falls upon all of us to gather the required political will to overcome the challenges for their sake. As you have rightly put it: “It is about people”.
Other conflicts and crises in our region continue to claim lives, exacerbate the hardships of populations, and create an especially heavy toll on human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly on women and children. They deserve our continued attention.
Transnational threats, terrorism, organized crime, violent extremism and cybercrime also continue to claim lives and put a heavy burden on livelihoods and our economies and erode public trust in our institutions. Recalling the Tirana Ministerial Council declaration on strengthening co-operation in countering transnational organized crime, we must rely on continuity if we are to be effective.
We welcome the balanced focus on economic and environmental activities, as a way to promote human security through sustainable economic growth and environmental co-operation, including on climate change. The topics of energy and food security have once again become prominent, and combatting corruption and promoting good governance remain relevant as ever.
We believe that the human dimension activities remain even more important today. Hence, we support the Chairpersonship’s approach toward strong OSCE institutions to that end. For Albania, full respect for human rights and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination, media freedom and strong civil societies, are of paramount importance.
OSCE’s role in implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is all the more important today. As a promoter of gender equality and women’s empowerment both at home and internationally, Albania appreciates the Chairpersonship’s aim to continue to promote this agenda. We must do more to promote women’s economic empowerment, women in leadership and in decision-making processes, both in normal and emergency times.
We congratulate North Macedonia for chairing the Mediterranean Partnership last year and urge for the momentum in OSCE’s engagement with our Mediterranean and Asian partners to be maintained and strengthened.
Mr. Chair,
Albania remains firmly committed to peace, stability, prosperity and co-operation in the Western Balkans. The very fact that within a few years three participating States from our neighbourhood – Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia – have taken up the responsibility to chair the OSCE, is a concrete demonstration of this progress. We should, however, not take it for granted, but work hard to preserve it.
At the end of last year, we followed with deep concern attempts to destabilize the Republic of Kosova through an artificially prolonged crisis and escalation of tensions in the country’s north. We call on Kosova and Serbia to return to tireless dialogue as the only way to move ahead and resolve outstanding issues. We urge both countries to work bravely towards a comprehensive agreement and to design their future on the path of European Union integration.
With North Macedonia leading the OSCE this year, we believe we are in good hands also when it comes to the important positive role that the OSCE has to play in the Western Balkans.
Mr. Chair,
We believe that the OSCE has a crucial role to play for peace and security, equipped with mechanisms, as well as confidence and security-building measures. And we very much hope that our Organization will turn an important corner toward greater security, stability, dialogue, and effectiveness. But now respect for our principles and commitments must be restored, and we must make every effort to that end.
Minister Osmani,
You can rest assured of Albania’s firm support to North Macedonia this year, as a good and trusted friend, partner, and neighbour. We look forward to even closer cooperation with your team in Vienna, led by the highly capable diplomat, our dear friend, Ambassador Igor Djundjev.
We take this opportunity also to thank the Polish Chairmanship for leading the OSCE in a firm and principled manner at a time when it was tested like never before last year. Thank you!
