Malta assumed the rotating presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday, succeeding North Macedonia.
In a statement, Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg, the new OSCE president, said: “It is a great honor to assume the presidency of the OSCE in 2024, but it is also a deep sense of responsibility and duty that Malta is assuming this role. In the midst of the ongoing complex and critical challenges facing security, the importance of the OSCE and its continued existence remain essential. The decision to appoint the president for this year, even though it was made at the last minute, showed a collective ambition to save our organization.”
Borg stressed that Malta, as the current president, will continue to work to protect and support the fundamental principles and commitments set out in the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter. He said Malta will build on the work of previous presidencies by supporting decisions related to ongoing conflicts in the OSCE region, putting human rights and people’s security at the heart of its efforts, and also providing support for the OSCE’s presence on the ground.
The minister pointed out that the issue of Ukraine remains a priority, stressing that Malta will continue to emphasize the need to end the Russian-Ukrainian war and find solutions to help Ukraine and its people.
Borg also said that, as the current OSCE president and a member of the United Nations Security Council until the end of 2024, Malta will be at the forefront of multilateral efforts to promote cooperation with the aim of rebuilding trust.
Borg is scheduled to officially open Malta’s presidency at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on January 25.
