2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE

1. The European Union and its Member States are pleased to participate in the Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE and we would like to thank the North Macedonia Chairpersonship for organising this meeting. 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.
2. We would also like to thank the speakers for their introductory remarks, which gave us a glimpse into the scope of the discussions we will be engaging in today, focusing on promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through achieving sustainable development and resilient and inclusive economic growth. 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.
3. However, we continue to witness the devastating environmental impact of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. In this regard, allow me to quote from recent statements by High Representatives Josep Borrel and Commissioner Janez Lenarčič: “Russia’s attacks against Ukrainian civilian critical infrastructure reached an unprecedented level with the destruction of the dam at Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. The downstream flooding puts the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians living in around 80 settlements at risk, including the city of Kherson. It aggravates the already dire humanitarian situation.”  Moreover, it also worsens the damage caused to valuable ecosystems and biodiversity in Ukraine.
4. The economic and environmental damage afflicted by Russia in Ukraine is appalling. 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 will continue to provide long-term support to Ukraine to address the economic and environmental challenges caused by Russia’s brutal war of aggression.
5. It is also crucial that the OSCE addresses and alleviates the devastating impact of this war on the environment and the economy of Ukraine, as a whole, including by strengthening disaster risk management, supporting water resource management, and supporting Ukraine’s transition towards sustainable energy infrastructure. We appreciate the OCEEA’s commitment, through the implementation of the project “Assessment of environmental impacts of the war against Ukraine and options for remediation” and we look forward to receiving the one-year assessment report.
6. In our meeting today, we will discuss opportunities for promoting resilience and cooperation on topics of common interest, including strengthening good governance, energy security and critical energy infrastructure. We are glad to see a dedicated session on strengthening cooperation to address challenges caused by climate change to security and stability in the OSCE region in accordance with the Stockholm Ministerial Decision from 2021. We would also like to encourage discussions in preparation for the upcoming High Level Conference in July. We also welcome the consideration of digital and technological innovations in facilitating transportation and trade in the last session of this meeting, which we consider to be a prerequisite for economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness and consequently for stability and well-being in our societies. These are not ordinary times. Following Russia’s blatant violations of international law and OSCE commitments, these topics must be discussed in the current context.
7. 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, energy security, connectivity and trade and transport facilitation, which will modernise and re-orient our economies and societies for the better.
8. 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 and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.