1. The European Union and its Member States are pleased to participate in the Prague Forum on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE and we would like to thank the North Macedonia Chairpersonship for organising this meeting. We would also like to thank Secretary-General Schmid, Minister Osmani and Minister Lipavský for their opening remarks, which gave us a glimpse into the scope of the discussions we will be engaging in over the next two days. We remain fully committed to advancing the agenda of the second dimension and engaging in economic and environmental co-operation as a tool for confidence building and conflict prevention.
2. We regret that despite the Chairpersonship's continuous efforts, consensus on the 31st Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) was not reached this year. The EU places great value on the Economic and Environmental Dimension as an integral part of OSCE's comprehensive approach to security. As mandated by relevant Ministerial Council Decisions, including the Helsinki Document 1992 and MC Decision 4/06, the EEF is the main annual event in the OSCE Economic and Environmental Dimension and an important platform for dialogue and cooperation. We would like to reiterate our full support to the CiO for organising the Prague Forum this year and to emphasise the responsibility of all participating States to reach consensus and adopt the necessary decisions.
3. In addition, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Deputy Minister Markiyan Dmytrasevych, for sharing with us his assessment of the situation on the ground in Ukraine inflicted by Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, unjustified and brutal war of aggression. The environmental consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will have long-lasting effects to the whole of Ukraine, the OSCE region and beyond. We are deeply concerned about the reported sustained damage to water supply and sewerage systems, and long-lasting damage to valuable ecosystems, biodiversity and marine sites. Military equipment and toxic chemicals in water, soil and the air could persist for decades. Russia’s war of aggression is damaging Ukraine to such a profound extent that the economy, environment and health of inhabitants of Ukraine could suffer adverse consequences for years. To that end, the EU and its Member States will continue to provide long-term support to Ukraine to address the economic and environmental challenges caused by Russia’s brutal war of aggression.
4. In our meeting today, we will discuss opportunities to enhance security and resilience on topics of common interest. We welcome the discussion on new technologies and digitalisation in enhancing economic resilience and combatting corruption in the OSCE region. In addition, following Russia’s deliberate decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which threatens to undermine global food security and safety of navigation, we welcome the discussion on the important role of supply chains and trade and transport facilitation. The EU and its Member States will continue to address food insecurity caused by Russia’s war of aggression, including through the EU Solidarity Lanes.
5. Mr. Chair, this summer was the hottest on record with a global average temperature of 16.77 degrees Celsius, which is 0.66 degrees above the average temperature of the last 30 years. In Europe, average summer temperatures were 19.63 degrees Celsius. These numbers will continue increasing if we don’t act fast. Climate change proves to be a risk multiplier. This year’s multitude of disastrous extreme weather events has made that once again painfully clear. We look forward to the discussion during the dedicated session on intensifying cooperation to combat challenges caused by climate change to security, also following up on the conclusions of the High Level Climate Change Conference in July. In addition, we place great importance on disaster risk management, the establishment of early response mechanisms as reflected in the 2014 Basel Ministerial Council decision, and we would like to express our support for the focused session on this topic.
6. We are committed to building a better, more resilient, inclusive, gender equal and sustainable future, through the digital and green transitions. In this regard, we remain dedicated to supporting co-operation between OSCE participating States on areas such as good governance and anti-corruption, climate change, disaster risk management, sustainable development and trade and transport facilitation, which will modernise and re-orient our economies and societies for the better.
7. In conclusion, the EU would like to express our continuous support to the North Macedonia Chairpersonship and in light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, we are more determined than ever to advance the work of the second dimension to achieve comprehensive security. We look forward to fruitful discussions.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, and the EFTA country ICELAND, member of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA align themselves with this statement.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.