Madam Chairperson,
I am making this statement in a national capacity and also on behalf of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. We will submit a final list of aligned States, which we request to be attached to the Journal of the Day.
Madam Chairperson,
We are very pleased to welcome the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Michael Davenport, to the Permanent Council. We recognize and appreciate the outstanding work carried out by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo to support the authorities of the country in strengthening their institutions.
We recall the Mission is the second largest of the OSCE Field Operations and that it plays an essential role in Kosovo. The Mission has continued to adapt its activities to Kosovo’s needs and to the evolving challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic—which has demanded persistence and creativity in finding effective ways to implement the Mission’s mandate.
We recognize that, as a matter of good governance within our organization, one of the best ways to understand how effectively OSCE Field Operations are implementing their work is to hear directly from the partners and beneficiaries on the ground. Therefore, we consider it essential to have contact among participating States and stakeholders, partners and interlocutors co-operating with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. We welcome and applaud the participation of a beneficiary of the Mission during September 15’s Informal meeting, and request this practice be continued in the future.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.