Spahiu: OSCE is the only organization connecting Russia and the West

Political analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu says that the OSCE is the only organization that still connects Russia and the West and that it is, therefore, understandable why diplomats from Turkey and Greece were chosen for the roles of OSCE Secretary General and head of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), because, as he says, these two countries maintain good relations with Russia.

Feridun Sinirlioglu from Turkey was appointed as the OSCE Secretary General, while Maria Telalian from Greece will lead the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

"Russia remains a member of the OSCE, and Turkey is a Western power that still maintains good relations with Russia. This could explain why a Turkish diplomat was chosen to head the OSCE, to sustain the organization and make it functional, because it remains the only organization that links Russia and the West after the complete boycott of Russia by Western nations in other organizations," Spahiu explained.

Regarding Telalian's appointment to lead ODIHR, he notes that although Greece is part of the West, it has close Orthodox Christian ties with Russia.

Commenting on the fact that Albania’s candidate, Igli Hasani, was not chosen as OSCE Secretary General, Spahiu says that he does not believe Tirana is disappointed, as the Albanian government was not particularly invested in securing the position.

“They put themselves forward, but once they saw the agreement on the selected team, they withdrew,” Spahiu stated.