PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS AND TRADE OSCE Chairperson Ian Borg meets with Albania President Bajram Begaj

Maltese OSCE Chairpersonship concludes four-day visit to Southeast Europe

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and OSCE Chairperson, Ian Borg concluded an OSCE Chairpersonship visit to Southeast Europe with a day in Albania on Wednesday, meeting with key leaders and civil society representatives.

In his encounters with the President of Albania Bajram Begaj and with the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani, Ian Borg reflected on current regional concerns, underscoring efforts to reinforce multilateral cooperation. “The need for effective and inclusive multilateralism has never been more pressing and this is why the Maltese Chairpersonship is working hard to ensure the resilience of the OSCE, strengthening its ability to respond to the evolving security landscape," stated the deputy prime minister.

In the capital Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Minister Igli Hasani delivered statements to the media. Ian Borg commended Albania for its strong partnership with the OSCE, adding that “the OSCE presence in Albania has been a steadfast partner in advancing democratic values, strengthening institutions, and promoting human rights since 1997".

Ian Borg also referred to the OSCE Ministerial Council, which Malta will host on 5^th and 6^th December. It will be an opportunity for the 57 participating states of this Organisation to unite and discuss important regional and organisational matters, and continue working toward a future of resilience, security and shared prosperity.

As it did during visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia earlier this week, on Wednesday the Maltese OSCE Chairpersonship held meetings with several Albania civil society organisations, emphasising the OSCE's commitment to supporting initiatives on gender equality and combating gender-based violence. OSCE Chairperson Ian Borg also stopped at the offices of the OSCE Presence in Albania to meet its team of staff. He commended their long-standing commitment to ensure the OSCE's positive contribution to the people in Albania.