OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani concludes visit to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia

SKOPJE, 14 April 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, concluded his visit to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The visit focused on existing security challenges and efforts towards sustainable peace, as well as strengthening co-operation between the OSCE and the three states in the South Caucasus region.

In Georgia, the OSCE Chairman met with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and other parliamentarians, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani.

During his talks in Tbilisi, Minister Osmani underlined that the OSCE will continue to support Georgia implement its commitments across the politico-military, environmental and economic, and human dimensions of security, which will contribute to internal reform processes in the country.

He also reiterated the OSCE’s continued efforts through the Geneva International Discussions and meetings of the related Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Ergneti.

“These channels and diplomatic processes must remain open, not only to avoid further escalation, but also to deal with the consequences of the 2008 war,” Chairman Osmani said.

“We support all pragmatic approaches to providing real results for the people affected by conflict. It is, after all, about people, and they count on us to deliver real results that allow them to live their lives in a state of peace and prosperity,” he added.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office also held a visit, organised with the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, to the administrative boundary line in Odzisi, and met with internally displaced persons in Tserovani. He also met with representatives of civil society.

During his visit to Azerbaijan, the OSCE Chairman met with President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Speaker of the National Assembly Sahiba Gafarova. Discussions focused on the OSCE’s engagement towards lasting and sustainable peace, and finding solutions to outstanding issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“The peaceful, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the disagreements that afflict and concern Azerbaijanis and Armenians remains paramount. We stand behind any effort that provides positive dynamics in support of the full implementation of previously agreed measures, and the identification of new areas for agreement,” Osmani said. “I also encourage continued engagement between Armenia and Azerbaijan towards peace, and addressing crucial issues such as demarcation and delimitation and the opening of communication lines,” he stressed.

In Armenia, Minister Osmani met with President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and parliamentarians.

“I support any effort that leads to peace and all initiatives that facilitate dialogue, defuse tensions, boost trust and confidence, leading to normalisation of relations. We stand ready to continue our efforts through the OSCE’s existing mechanisms and structures, and new ideas and approaches to achieve these goals,” Minister Osmani said.

During his meeting with civil society and other stakeholders, Chairman Osmani highlighted the potential for increased project co-operation with the OSCE across all aspects of security.