Thank you, Mr. Chairperson,
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Igli, Hasani, was very keen to address this council today personally. However, due to unexpected traveling circumstances, he deeply regrets that he will not be able to do so. I will deliver the statement on his behalf.
Minister Osmani, Secretary General, distinguished Ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen,
I thank the Chairpersonship of North Macedonia for convening this special reinforced meeting at a time when our Organization finds itself – yet again – at the crossroads.
I sincerely hope that this meeting will serve more than to reiterate our known positions. Yet, we cannot look ahead without first pointing clearly to the root-cause of the dire straits in which the OSCE finds itself, and that is the biggest threat to the European security architecture today: Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
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, forced deportations, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and a humanitarian and economic crisis that is felt in Ukraine and globally.
Albania and the Albanian people will continue to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people, together with our partners and allies – here in the OSCE, and in the UN Security Council where this month my country is shaping the international security agenda, and wherever else needed – until Ukraine’s victory. Albania was proud to organize last week a high-level open debate in the UN Security Council on upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism and the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. The meeting was chaired by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
What is happening in Ukraine has sent shockwaves across all OSCE dimensions and its functioning. It has shattered trust and confidence within us and beyond us.
We deeply regret the closure of the Special Monitoring Mission and the Project Coordinator in Ukraine due to Russia’s refusal to renew their mandates. The OSCE is needed now more than ever in Ukraine. For that reason, Albania has joined the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine. Likewise, we remain committed to supporting international mechanisms for accountability and justice for Ukraine, including the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, as Russia seeks to weaken our Organization from within.
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
The OSCE executive structures have proven time and again to be a steadfast contributor to our comprehensive security and able to make a difference on the ground. The Secretariat – under the able leadership of Secretary General Helga Schmid – and the institutions and the field operations, have shown yet again their value and resilience. We appreciate the difficult conditions that they have been operating in, for too long, without a Unified Budget. We should give them without further delay the means, the resources and the ability to implement their mandates.
Other conflicts and crises, as well as transnational threats, terrorism, organized crime, violent extremism and cybercrime, and the adverse effects of climate change on security 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 and a strong OSCE.
We support the continued mandated work of the Secretary General and the heads of the three institutions, namely ODIHR, the Representative for the Freedom of Media, and the High Commissioner on National Minorities. We must secure continuity and full representation in the four most senior positions if we are to have an effective Organization.
The year 2024 is right behind the corner. Like never before, the OSCE risks finding itself without a chair. We appreciate Estonia’s readiness to step in next year. In the search for consensus, Albania would support a principled participating State that would be willing to shoulder this responsibility. As part of the Group of Friends of the Chair and, drawing also on our experience as OSCE Chair in 2020, Albania commits to engaging in earnest and good faith with the participating States in support of North Macedonia’s efforts to foster consensus on the 2024 Chair.
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 the Chairperson-in-Office has rightly put it: “It’s about people”.
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.
Dear friends,
What we do today and up to the OSCE Ministerial in Skopje will shape the future of the OSCE. I hope we will make good use of the little time we still have. But, first and foremost, it is imperative that respect for our principles and commitments be restored, and we must make every effort to that end. Thank you!
