The President of the Republic, H.E.Mr. Bajram Begaj, receives the OSCE Secretary- General, Mrs. Helga Maria Schmid

The President of the Republic, H.E.Mr. Bajram Begaj, received today the OSCE Secretary-General, Mrs. Helga Maria Schmid. President Begaj appreciated the role of the Organization in these key moments that the European continent and the world order are going through, as well as underlined the will of Albania as a member country of the organization, to contribute towards maintaining world peace and order.

Focusing on the process of the upcoming local elections, President Begaj appreciated the expertise of the OSCE/ODIHR and emphasized, that as the President of the Republic, he will do everything allowed by the Constitution and the law, in order to not only have better elections than the previous ones, but that they meet the international standards of free and fair elections.

President Begaj also appreciated the role and contribution of the OSCE in Kosovo and the region. In this context, the Head of State hailed the reach of the public agreement in Ohrid, between Kosovo and Serbia, reaffirming Albania’s position, that dialogue and agreement are the only way for a region in peace and stability.

Both interlocutors appreciated the contribution that the OSCE mission in Ukraine is playing in these moments of unprecedented, unjustified and unprovoked aggression by a member of the United Nations and the organization, as well as the real contribution to peace. “Any crime committed in Ukraine, against the civilian population, against children and against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine must not go unpunished”, President Begaj underlined.