Sitting on two chairs
Macedonia recently concluded its hosting of the 30th OSCE Ministerial in Skopje, a logistical feat involving delegations from over 50 countries and thousands of delegates, including support staff, etc. The detail that went into putting this on – the main venue, the security, the catering, the transport, was, from all accounts, well done and flowed smoothly.
But at the heart of the matter, wasn’t this just an example of, to use the Macedonian expression, sitting on two chairs?
Some headlines from the international press:
Deutsche Welle: OSCE meeting opens with fury over Russian participation
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: OSCE Opens Summit in Skopje Amid Boycotts, Criticism Directed At Russia’s Presence
The Independent: Baltic nations’ foreign ministers pull out of OSCE meeting over Russian foreign minister attendance
It wasn’t just the Baltic foreign ministers who boycotted. So did Ukraine and Poland. And plenty of diplomats who did attend were furious that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov attended as well, walking out of the hall when he started to speak during the main session.
And this next is important, and not just because I don’t quote Balkan Insight too often: “….Macedonia’s Defence Minister, Slavjanka Petrovska, also voiced reservations. Speaking on the national broadcaster, MRTV, last week, she said that considering Russia’s conduct over the past two years over Ukraine, “I don’t’ see a reason for his [Lavrov’s] presence here”. So, the Macedonian government is criticizing the….Macedonian government?
Who encouraged foreign minister Osmani into inviting Lavrov? Special dispensation had to be given to Lavrov to simply fly into Macedonia; Bulgaria refused to allow the Russians to fly over Bulgaria; Greece, however, did.
In his defense, Osmani “defended the decision and argued that the OSCE should be seen as a neutral forum,” according to Al Jazeera. But here’s the weird thing: Osmani, as the chairman of the OSCE for 2023 and host of the event, invited Lavrov to attend, because, as Osmani said, it’s a neutral forum. But in his opening remarks to the assembled, Osmani blasted Russia, stating, “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine flies in the face of all this organization holds dear….The war undermines trust, dialogue, and our capacity to deliver.” Presumably, Lavrov was there when Osmani said it. (US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was not; he had flown in the night before, had a few meetings, and then flew out. He was never in the country when Lavrov was.)
Even after these remarks, and according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Macedonia “still faced criticism that it has given in to Moscow by allowing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to attend the meeting, though not without issues.” Though the truth here is that Bujar Osmani and the government he represents faced criticism, not Macedonia.
However you look at this entire episode, we’re getting into some weird territory here: the Baltic countries, Poland and Ukraine boycotted; Bulgaria said no to overflights, Greece said yes. The Macedonian government invited Lavrov in the first place and hosted him and his delegation, though some Macedonian government members questioned the wisdom of this. And then the chairman of the OSCE for 2023, and host of the conference, blasted Lavrov and Russia. Lavrov then proceeded to basically mock the OSCE.
As a consensus-based organization, everyone had to agree to who the 2024 chair would be; Estonia had put in its bid some years ago, but Russia vetoed it. Instead, Malta will be the chair. Predictably, Lavrov blasted Estonia saying that the Russians in Estonia have no rights; this is not true – Russians in Estonia have all the rights that Estonians and other minorities have (I’ve been going to Estonia for 30 years, I’ve probably spent, collectively a year of my life there, and I have many Estonian friends – it’s a country and people I know and will defend).
The whole episode was just weird and awkward, and I am not sure Macedonia won itself any plaudits or prizes.