SKOPJE, 30 November 2023 – In a speech at the opening of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje today, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma (Finland) highlighted the profound impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion and ongoing war against Ukraine on the entire region. “The Ukrainian people, brutalized and suffering, remain at the forefront of our attention,” she said. “We cannot turn a blind eye to these clear, gross and uncorrected violations of the Helsinki Final Act.”

Simultaneously, President Kauma emphasized the need to address a multitude of challenges across the OSCE. “As we attempt to navigate this unknown landscape, we must acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the crises at hand,” Kauma stated, underscoring the fragility of peace in the Western Balkans, the importance of stability for regional development in the South Caucasus, and the unique challenges faced by Central Asia. She also addressed the heightened tensions in the Middle East, citing the 7 October terrorist attacks and Israel’s military response in Gaza.

President Pia Kauma addressing the OSCE Ministerial Council, Skopje, 30 November 2023President Kauma expressed gratitude for North Macedonia’s commitment to finding solutions and commended the country for its role as the host of a field operation for the past 31 years. She recognized North Macedonia’s successful diplomacy with its neighbours and its contribution to building an inclusive, multiethnic society.

Highlighting the unprecedented challenges faced by the OSCE, President Kauma noted that, for the first time in its 30-year history, parliamentarians added a fourth chapter to the main declaration during the OSCE PA Annual Session in Vancouver. This chapter addressed the institutional crises within the organization, signaling the gravity of the situation and the need for effective responses to geopolitical complexities.

To address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, President Kauma announced the establishment of a Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine, demonstrating the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s commitment to supporting Ukraine through all possible means.

President Kauma stressed the importance of the OSCE in the face of uncertainty, acknowledging the obstacles faced, such as the blocking of the budget adoption, agreeing on sustainable leadership for the organization in the future, and additional limitations on field operations. She emphasized the need for tangible solutions to meet the expectations of constituents.

President Kauma affirmed that the mission of the OSCE goes beyond crisis management. “It extends to shaping a future where the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, born in times of heightened geopolitical confrontation out of a shared commitment, are not just words on paper but the cornerstone of a stable, peaceful, and just world,” she said to the foreign ministers and representatives of the OSCE’s 57 participating States present.

While in Skopje, President Kauma is having a series of bilateral meetings. Among others, she will meet the incoming OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Malta Ian Borg, and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan as follow-up to her visit to the South Caucasus recently.

On Wednesday, the OSCE PA Bureau convened in Skopje ahead of the Ministerial Council to discuss the future of the organization and the Assembly's priorities for the upcoming year. Bureau members engaged in discussions about the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion and ongoing war against Ukraine, the role of parliamentarians of the OSCE PA in this challenging time for the organization, challenges associated with prioritizing and budgeting for election observation missions, and potential visits to OSCE field operations.

For President Kauma's full remarks at the Ministerial Council in PDF format, please click here. For the video of her remarks, please click here.

Additional information on the Ministerial Council is available at the OSCE’s website.