Albanian Mission in Vienna

At the @OSCE Permanent Council, @AmbassadorAlbIO honored the victims of the Srebrenica genocide by reaffirming its commitment to preserving historical truth, rejecting genocide denial, and supporting international justice.

Albania stressed that the lessons of Srebrenica are not confined to history.
It condemned recent remarks by a member of the Serbian government expressing regret that broader ethnic cleansing had not occurred in Kosova, describing them unacceptable and an insult to victims of war.

The most meaningful way to honor Srebrenica's victims is to uphold human dignity, equality, justice, and peace.

At an ad hoc meeting today in Vienna, @OSCE Human Dimension Committee, chaired by @AmbassadorAlbIO @TinaGjermeni 🇦🇱, discussed the findings of the Ninth Interim Report of @osce_odihr on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine 🇺🇦, committed in the context of Russia's war of aggression.
 
These reports remain an important contribution to international justice mechanisms and accountability efforts, and help ensure that the international community has access to credible, independent and evidence-based information.
 
Thank you to @DirectorODIHR Maria Telalian and @andrewegardner for the thorough presentations and to all of ODIHR for its continued work in establishing a reliable factual record of such violations.
 
Thank you also to the participating States for their interventions and continued engagement on this important issue.

A meaningful and vibrant discussion at today’s meeting of @OSCE Human Dimension Committee on “Media freedom, trust and accountability in an evolving information environment”, chaired by @AmbassadorAlbIO 🇦🇱.
 
In a rapidly changing media landscape — shaped by digital transformation, disinformation, declining public trust, economic pressures and growing risks faced by journalists — safeguarding freedom of expression and media freedom remains central to our shared OSCE commitments and to the health of democratic societies.
 
Today’s discussion offered an important opportunity to reflect on how participating States, media professionals, regulators, civil society and international organizations can strengthen trust, transparency & accountability while fully respecting the independence of the media.
 
Issues such as media ethics, self-regulation, media and information literacy, public service media, and the safety of journalists — particularly those facing heightened vulnerability — are essential to building resilient and inclusive information spaces.
 
A free, pluralistic and responsible media environment is not only a pillar of democracy, but also a vital contribution to security, social cohesion and public trust across the OSCE region.

Grateful to our speakers – @OSCE_RFoM Ambassador Jan Braathu, @SeverMaja, Bertrand Mossiat, @IamRashela & Gill Phillips – for sharing their insights and expertise, and to all delegations for a substantive and constructive exchange.

📸 ©️ Micky Kroell

Honoured @AmbassadorAlbIo to speak at @UNIDO event today celebrating United Nations MSME Day 🇺🇳 and to recognize the indispensable contribution of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to sustainable development, innovation & economic resilience around the world.
 
MSMEs are the backbone of our economies. They account for around 90 per cent of businesses worldwide and generate more than 70 per cent of global employment.

Beyond these impressive figures, they are drivers of entrepreneurship, innovation, local development and social cohesion.
 
For Albania 🇦🇱 supporting SMEs is not only an economic and business objective. European Union 🇪🇺 accession and participation in the Single Market require strong standards, certification, traceability, conformity assessment, energy efficiency, skills and access to finance. Supporting SMEs is therefore also about Albania’s sustainable industrial transformation, export competitiveness and European convergence.
 
No country can achieve these goals alone. International co-operation, knowledge-sharing and partnerships remain essential.
 
Albania looks forward to further strengthening its co-operation with UNIDO as we work together to empower MSMEs as engines of innovation, sustainable industrialization & shared prosperity.

Pleased to see a full and intense day dedicated to tolerance and non-discrimination in the framework of the @OSCE Human Dimension Committee, chaired by @AmbassadorAlbIO:

✅ Beginning with the side event presenting @ODIHR’s Practical Guide “Understanding Anti‑Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities”

✅ Continuing with the @SwitzerlandOSCE side event on “How can religious and faith communities help to strengthen multilateral cooperation?” and

✅ Concluding with the Human Dimension Committee meeting on “Building inclusive societies through dialogue, education and security: addressing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.”
 
Tolerance and non‑discrimination are core OSCE commitments and essential to democratic societies, social cohesion and comprehensive security. Respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief is both a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for peaceful, resilient and prosperous societies. Yet intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief persist across OSCE region.
 
Experience shows that dialogue, education and community engagement are among the most effective tools to prevent intolerance and foster mutual understanding.

At a time when multilateralism faces significant challenges, religious and belief communities — rooted locally, trusted by many, and linked transnationally — can build bridges, promote reconciliation and strengthen resilience against division and polarization.
 
For Albania 🇦🇱 tolerance and non-discrimination carry special significance. For centuries diverse faith communities in the country have lived side by side in a spirit of tolerance and coexistence — a diversity to be nurtured and shared. This culture of respect has deep roots: during the Holocaust Albanians sheltered and protected Jewish people fleeing persecution, and today Albania upholds a tradition of openness and solidarity toward those seeking refuge from conflict and oppression.
 
Today’s events were a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, identify good practices & explore how participating States can further strengthen efforts to combat intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief while promoting inclusive and cohesive societies.
 
Thank you 👏 to the distinguished speakers and OSCE delegations for the informative, lively & constructive exchange.

📸 ©️ Ghada Hazim