Swiss OSCE head in Western Balkans

TIRANA, April 25 – Swiss Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office, Didier Burkhalter, drew a positive conclusion from his two-day visit to the Western Balkans during which he met with high-level representatives in Belgrade, Tirana and Prishtina.
Burkhalter also received strong backing for the engagement of the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship in the region and also said he was pleased with the commitment by all the political leaders he met to strengthen security and stability in the Western Balkans through co-operation.
The Swiss OSCE objectives are fostering OSCE assistance in the EU-led normalization of relations in accordance with the Belgrade and Prishtina agreement, enhancing regional co-operation, including on migration matters, and advancing reconciliation, particularly with regard to the resolution of the issue of missing persons.
Burkhalter was glad for the expressions of support by the authorities in Belgrade, Tirana and Prishtina for OSCE activities to assist Ukraine in overcoming the current crisis.
In meetings with young Albanians in Tirana and a group of young Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs in Prishtina, he applauded their commitment to democracy, human rights and inclusive societies, calling them prime agents for reconciliation in the region.