The OSCE Summit in North Macedonia is an opportunity to establish peace in the world

Writing for Kosovo Online: Zeljko Sain, Politika’s special correspondent from Skopje

The capital of North Macedonia will host the Summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from November 29 to December 1, with the participation of 76 delegations from OSCE members and partner countries. As emphasized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Bujar Osmani, this event would focus on people, as in the world witnessing upheavals, the priorities were the needs and demands of the people, and their security should always be at the center of the efforts of all political leaders.

Osmani stressed that this event would be of exceptional importance, given that the OSCE was facing an existential crisis for the first time since its founding in 1975 when it had been established as an organization with a mission to maintain peace, security, and manage conflicts, as trust among member states was low after the conflict in Ukraine. The challenge is enormous, considering that over 70 delegations will be present, including 57 OSCE participating states and countries from Mediterranean and Asian groups that are partners in cooperation. The delegations of OSCE participating states will have the third level of security, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski.

The main theme of the Summit will be the establishment of peace in the world. With this goal in mind, Blinken and Lavrov, two figures considered among the most significant in the world responsible for peace, alongside Presidents Biden and Putin, will sit at the same table in Skopje on November 30 during the plenary ministerial conference. The US Secretary of State and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs will have the opportunity to develop a dialogue leading to the establishment of a balance of peace in the world. The next steps would be up to the presidents of their countries, who can halt the metastasis of a state of war through direct military and political orders.

Let's recall that Bulgaria, like most countries in Europe, closed its airspace for Russian planes in February 2022, in solidarity with Ukraine, following the invasion initiated by Russia. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria allowed the plane of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to fly over Bulgaria so that he could participate in the summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Skopje. Lavrov's arrival at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in the most delicate period for this organization could prove to be a politically astute move that will intravenously revitalize this organization and demonstrate that the Russian Federation is a crucial factor in achieving and sustaining peace in the world.

Although North Macedonia is the thirtieth member of the North Atlantic Alliance, and there are conflicting opinions about Lavrov's arrival in Skopje, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, emphasized the importance of Lavrov's presence at this gathering. Kovacevski's advocacy for Lavrov to receive equal treatment and for the skies to be open for his landing at Skopje airport shows an awareness that the presence of the Russian Foreign Minister at this summit is crucial for establishing world peace. Whether Blinken and Lavrov will meet in bilateral talks face-to-face or in the capacity of the delegations of the two countries, this could be a significant step for humanity toward a peaceful solution.

We hope that the political wisdom of Lavrov and Blinken could pave the way for global prosperity, a path that, after their dialogue, could be endorsed by Putin and Biden. Although this may seem unattainable at this moment, let's remember that political wisdom achieved this during the Cuban Missile Crisis when Kennedy and Khrushchev found a solution for peace, averting a nuclear war. Political wisdom can overcome military logic, and Skopje can lay the foundations for such an outcome at the upcoming 30th OSCE Ministerial Conference.

Even though the world is currently witnessing the Third World War in fragments, as noted by Pope Francis, the end of November and the beginning of December from North Macedonia could open the doors to peace and change the course of Russia and the US to end the war agony and align economic forces, bringing a brighter future to the citizens. To start with, it is crucial that representatives of around fifty ministers meet in one place at the same table, where the dialogue between the representatives of the Russian Federation and the US is undoubtedly the most significant.

The OSCE Summit will be the most significant event in the history of North Macedonia as the host, bringing together delegations from 76 countries and thousands of high-ranking political officials. It could be written in golden letters if it sets a roadmap for world peace. Malta will take over the chairmanship from North Macedonia next year, not Estonia, as Russia blocked this proposal.