Stojkovski: Not everyone can be the OSCE Secretary-General; consensus on officials is a success

The Executive Director of the “Prespa Institute,” Andreja Stojkovski, told Kosovo Online that the appointment of new OSCE officials ensures the continuation of the organization’s work and that there should likely be satisfaction with the new leadership, as Turkish diplomacy is considered exceptionally well-prepared and professional, a sentiment that can largely be extended to Greek diplomacy as well.

Last week, the OSCE Ministerial Council appointed Feridun Sinirlioğlu from Turkey as Secretary-General and Maria Telalian from Greece as Head of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Stojkovski stated that the real success lies in the member states of the organization finally reaching a consensus on the organization’s top officials.

He noted that not everyone can become the OSCE Secretary-General, and in discussing the selection process, it is important to remember that the organization has 57 participating states.

In his view, one should not expect too much from the OSCE when it comes to the Western Balkans region.

"The OSCE is much more significant for the countries of the Caucasus or Central Asia than for our Western Balkans region. However, we must not forget that the first field mission, which is still operational, was established in North Macedonia. In Sarajevo, there is also a functional mission that continues to operate with significant tasks. But if in the past many issues overseen by the OSCE or principles respected among participating states were primarily problems in the East, today they could likely serve as areas of focus in the West as well," Stojkovski emphasized.