Skopje, 30 November 2023 (MIA) - Multilateralism is at the heart of Malta's foreign policy. We need to collectively work towards preserving and enhancing the OSCE, recognizing our shared responsibilities as signatories of the Helsinki Final Act, Ian Borg, Malta's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in his address at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, the next presiding country of the organization.

"Let us return to shared principles and commitments. Let us turn challenges into opportunities in the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act and secure a legacy for future generations. Together, let us infuse new energy into the Organization," Borg said.

“It is clear that multilateralism is facing challenges but remains essential for addressing global issues, from preventing conflicts to dealing with climate change,” Borg said. As he highlighted, no single country can handle these challenges alone, therefore, collaboration, inclusivity, and coordinated efforts within established rules are crucial.

“As an organization, we are facing a complex and critical situation. The use of violence as a means to achieve goals is not in the spirit of the Helsinki Act, and we must return to de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes with respect for dialogue. "In line with the Helsinki Act, the use of a veto to hinder the OSCE in achieving its fundamental goals is not appropriate. We must go back to the call for compromise, even when it is challenging for us to agree,” Borg noted.

"In the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act," Borg added, "collaboration with goodwill to build trust is essential. To achieve this, he pointed out, we must maintain our channels of communication."

"Together, we created the OSCE as an instrument for security, cooperation, and understanding. For the well-being of all the people we serve, we must endure and preserve it. This is a challenging but vital task before us. Diplomacy remains the best tool for this endeavor," Borg noted.

"Malta remains committed to providing humanitarian aid and support for Ukraine, and Russia must fully withdraw from its entire territory,” Borg added.

Photo: MIA