Malta Ready to Chair OSCE in 2024 Amid Estonia’s Blocked Bid – PM

MOSCOW, November 27 (Sputnik) – Malta could step in to chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) next year instead of Estonia, whose bid faces “opposition” from some countries within the security body, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Monday.

Malta has been suggested as an alternative to the official candidate for the OSCE chairmanship, Estonia, and considers the organization very important, the prime minister told a press conference in Vienna following talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Abela added that his country was ready to take over running the organization if Estonia was rejected. He also expressed confidence in Malta’s readiness for taking the post, adding that the country could make a great contribution to the OSCE.

Russia and Belarus have previously blocked Estonia from assuming the chairmanship of the OSCE in 2024.