FM Ann Linde Unveils Sweden’s Priorities as OSCE Chair, Appreciates Albanian Chairmanship

Starting from January 1, 2021 Sweden will lead the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for one year, while Ann Linde, Sweden’s Foreign Minister and the new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office thanked Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama for chairing the organization in challenging
circumstances.
“Thank you Edi Rama and the Albanian mission in Vienna for a really inspiring chairmanship of the OSCE. Despite the challenging circumstances, you managed to find the modalities of the meeting, make important decisions and show a new executive leadership”, she said quoted by local media on Friday.
In a comment on Sweden’s priorities as Chair Minister Ann Linde expressed her country’s honor to take over the OSCE’s helm at a time when the region needs to come together to focus on its common security, based on the principles and made commitments.we all have made.
“While conflicts and political crises continue to challenge security, international law, democratic principles and sustainable development, the OSCE can serve as a crucial multilateral platform to tackle these challenges and build stronger societies together,” said Ann Linde, Sweden’s Foreign Minister and the new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, as reported on the OSCE’s website.
“Our priorities as Chair will be to emphasize the fundamental tasks of the OSCE; defending the European security order, upholding the OSCE concept of comprehensive security and to contribute to resolving the conflicts in our region. On January 14, I will present our program in detail to the OSCE Permanent Council,” Linde added.
“The ongoing conflicts and crises in the OSCE area, such as the situations we see in Belarus, in and around Ukraine and the increased tensions around Nagorno-Karabakh require the continued, common attention of our organization. This will naturally be on our agenda at the beginning of the year.”
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office noted that enhancing gender equality would be a key priority of the Swedish Chair.
“In line with the organization’s concept of comprehensive security we will stress the inclusion and meaningful participation of women in all phases of the conflict cycle, and move forward the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This is crucial for the prevention and mitigation of conflicts, as well as to consolidate peace.” /argumentum.al