OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani visits OSCE Mission to Skopje

SKOPJE, 25 January 2023 — OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani visited the OSCE Mission to Skopje today.

Chairman Osmani met with the OSCE Head of Mission, Kilian Wahl, and mission staff who updated him on the Mission’s ongoing and future activities in support of North Macedonia. This includes work in areas such as the rule of law, democratic governance, the fight against organized crime and corruption, promoting media freedom, and fostering social cohesion.

“The field missions are the focus of our Chairpersonship. The projects implemented by the OSCE Mission to Skopje are of great benefit for our country and its citizens. They are in concordance with the priorities of the Government’s agenda. With the Mission we have a partnership that lasts for years, in support of the reforms we are undertaking, but moreover in supporting the people in different ways.”

During a visit to the Gjorce Petrov Police Barracks, the Chairman had a first-hand look at the Mission’s work supporting police reforms including activities related to small arms and light weapons.

He also had the opportunity to meet graduates of the Mission’s Mentoring Programme for Women in Police. The Programme is designed to support women police officers with personal career development and increase gender equity in policing. Since 2017, over 100 female police mentors and mentees have been trained through the Programme.

The motto of the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia is, ‘It’s about People’, and that includes women and underrepresented groups. Empowering these groups helps to strengthen the safety, security and equal rights for all people.

Taking part in an anti-hate speech event, Chairman Osmani spoke with groups of police officers and local students about the students’ art projects on preventing hate speech. The event was part of the Mission’s efforts to engage youth, strengthen community-based policing, and enhance social cohesion.

Chairman Osmani also underlined the OSCE’s contribution to the rule of law, development of resilient democratic institutions and socio-economic growth, showcasing concrete results from the OSCE’s engagement in North Macedonia.