OSCE announces compromise in selection of chairing country for 2024
The head of the OSCE Bujar Osmani (Photo: twitter.com/Bujar_O)
For the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2024, the member countries of the organization elected Malta based on decisions made. The elections occurred against the backdrop of the obstruction of OSCE activities by Russia, which opposed Estonia's chairmanship, according to the OSCE website.
The outcome of a unanimous decision by all 57 participating countries was announced on Friday, December 1st, by the current OSCE Chairperson and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, during the closing of the 30th Meeting of the Council of Ministers in Skopje.
He also mentions the extension of the terms of office for the OSCE Secretary-General, Schmid, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ribiero, and the High Commissioner on National Minorities, Abdrakhmanov, as well as the appointment of the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Mekacci, until September 3, 2024.
"Our ability to come together now and forge consensus among all 57 participating States reveals, once more, the importance and efficacy of building agreement through negotiation and compromise on behalf of our common goals and objectives," said Osmani.
In his view, despite differences the OSCE members "have shown the strategic vision required to continue our constructive efforts toward implementing and applying the OSCE’s competitive advantages through the work of its executive structures to the benefit of all our people."
The term of office for Malta as the current OSCE Chair will commence on January 1, 2024.
Russia's blockage of the appointment of the country chairing the OSCE in 2024
Earlier in July, Russia, along with Belarus, vetoed the approval of Estonia as the next OSCE Chair for 2024. Following this, Malta was proposed for the role of chair, currently maintaining neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine despite condemning Russian aggression and aligning with European sanctions.
Furthermore, Russia continues to veto the organization's decisions, blocking its normal functioning. Later on, at an OSCE meeting in Vienna, Russia also blocked Malta's appointment as the organization's chair in 2024.
