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The rotating OSCE Chairman-in-Office for 2023 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, together with the OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmidt, visited the Republic of Turkey.

All about the topic:

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria 497

During his visit, Osmani also held a working meeting with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, at which he expressed the OSCE's support for overcoming the catastrophic consequences that Turkey is facing after the February 6 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, reported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia.

"My visit to Turkey comes at a time of great sadness.

This disaster (the earthquake) has caused unimaginable suffering and pain to thousands of families and communities across the country.

We hope the injured make a speedy recovery and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Once again, on behalf of the OSCE, I express my condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in this tragedy," Osmani said, stressing the importance of collective responsibility for continuous aid and support to the areas affected by the tragedy. 

He has announced even greater commitment from the Organization and support from OSCE funds, and that the OSCE will continue to work to provide assistance.

"Turkey has expressed concern about the lack of concrete mechanisms on the part of the OSCE when it comes to disaster response.

I would like to assure you that we take these concerns seriously and are working to resolve them.

We need even greater commitment from the entire international community, including the OSCE.

My presence here today, as Chairman of the OSCE, together with Secretary General Helga Schmidt, is proof of our determination in this regard," Osmani said.

The Greek Foreign Minister: The earthquake in Turkey and Syria is a "biblical catastrophe"

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Buyar Osmani