Head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Othmani, warned today, Sunday, of the collapse of the organization as a result of the deep crisis it is suffering from due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Othmani said, in an interview with the British newspaper “Financial Times”, that “the biggest challenge is political leadership, because the organization cannot work without a Head.”
The newspaper indicated that Othmani’s powers as head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expire next December, and his successor must obtain unanimous support from all countries participating in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, including Russia.
According to the newspaper, Russia opposed the only candidate for the position of new Head, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahakna.
Othmani stressed that the Russian approach “paralyzed the organization,” and against this background, he said that he might propose extending his term as head of the OSCE in order to “prevent the collapse of the organization.”
But as the newspaper confirmed, this will also require the approval of the Russian Federation.
At the same time, he also admitted that the OSCE is facing “the biggest crisis in its history.”
He explained, “We could not agree on a budget for several years. We did not agree on the leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We did not elect a president for 2024.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency