OSCE Mission Skopje Report: Key UK Statement May 2026

OSCE Mission Skopje plays a crucial role in supporting North Macedonia’s government reforms and the ongoing implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. The United Kingdom extends a warm welcome to Deputy Head of Mission Susan Penska at the Permanent Council and expresses gratitude to her and her team for their thorough report. The UK firmly endorses the essential work of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. The UK deeply values its strategic partnership with North Macedonia. Together, we are committed to collaborating on foreign policy, trade and investment, combatting organized crime, infrastructure cooperation, and migration management. We support the OSCE Mission Skopje’s Strategy for 2025 to 2027, emphasizing criminal justice, anti-corruption, social cohesion, gender equality, and youth engagement. The Mission's sustained involvement in government reforms over the past year has been commendable. Continuous dialogue among missions in Skopje is vital to optimize our collective efforts. Particularly, we recognize the Mission's contributions to strengthening criminal justice reforms, enhancing police-prosecutor collaboration, and ensuring compliance with fair trial standards. Such reforms are vital for fostering public trust and bolstering democratic resilience. Moreover, the UK appreciates the OSCE Mission Skopje's initiatives to uphold fundamental rights and promote social cohesion. By improving legal identity and facilitating access to essential rights and services, the Mission significantly impacts the community. The expansion of Local Prevention Councils and structured dialogues also plays a critical role in bolstering local safety and institutional confidence. The Mission’s ongoing commitment to gender equality is especially noteworthy. Initiatives like the operationalization of the Femicide Watch Initiative, a focus on victim-centered policing, and support for women’s political participation are significant steps towards preventing violence and promoting equality. Under Switzerland’s Chairpersonship, the establishment of a Unified Budget for 2026 marks a significant milestone. This resolution ends a lengthy period of financial uncertainty, allowing the Organization, including its field operations, a stable foundation for planning and execution. Given the reduced budget, it is increasingly essential to prioritize resources effectively to ensure field missions can effectively deliver on their core mandates. We anticipate further in-depth discussions on this crucial issue in the upcoming months. In conclusion, the United Kingdom reaffirms its robust bilateral partnership with North Macedonia and solid support for the OSCE Mission Skopje's activities. We urge North Macedonia to maintain momentum in its reforms, complete the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, and sustain close collaboration on Mission priorities. Thank you, Mr Chair. For more details, visit [UK Government](https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/report-by-the-deputy-head-of-the-osce-mission-to-skopje-uk-statement-may-2026) or [OSCE](https://www.osce.org). Internal resources can be found at [Globe Migrant - OSCE Analysis](https://www.globemigrant.com/osce-analysis) and [Globe Migrant - North Macedonia Partnership](https://www.globemigrant.com/north-macedonia-partnership).

OSCE Mission Skopje Report: Key UK Statement May 2026

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