On 27 July 2024, Ambassador Maria-Pia Kothbauer, the Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the OSCE and Dean of OSCE Ambassadors, delivered a heartfelt farewell to Ambassador Stefano Baldi during the Permanent Council meeting.
This occasion also marked the departure of several other distinguished OSCE Ambassadors, including Ambassador Barbara Žvokelj of Slovenia, Ambassador Anne-Kirsti Karlsen of Norway, Ambassador Katrĩna Kaktina of Latvia, Ambassador Jocelyn Kinnear of Canada, and Ambassador Mihaela Mocanu of Moldova.
Ambassador Kothbauer’s remarks specifically highlighted the contributions of Ambassador Baldi to the work of the OSCE, underscoring his dedication and the impact of his service.
Ambassador Kothbauer’s remarks, in particular those referring to Ambassador Baldi, are reported here:
Thank you, Madam Chairperson, Dear Colleagues,
Summer is the season for travel and farewells, also in the OSCE.
Today, we bid farewell to the Ambassadors of Slovenia, Norway, Latvia, Canada, Italy and Moldova a group of
six truly remarkable colleagues, who have played pivotal roles in the work of the OSCE in the past years.
Most of them had a difficult start into our community as they arrived during Covid, a time, where meetings
mostly took place online and social gatherings were not possible.
Still, they all managed to build friendships and trust among colleagues and to impact our common endeavours
from the very beginning.
As they conclude their tenures in the OSCE today, I would like to share a few reflections in relation to some
common features of all of them, but also, some individual and more personal comments.
The last few years have been difficult, and crucial for the OSCE.
In light of the multifaceted impacts of the COVID pandemic and – above all – of Russia´s ongoing war of
aggression against Ukraine our Organisation has been facing a wide range of challenges, both at the political and
at the institutional level.
In times like these, it has been of particular importance to have colleagues around this table, who are strongly
committed to OSCE´s principles and commitments, belief in the value added of our Organisation and of
multilateralism as a whole, and who share the values of democracy, human rights and international law.
We are very grateful to all the six of you for the significant contributions you have made to our common work,
every one of you on her or his own way.
Let me just highlight some of the most important aspects.
Ambassador Baldi, dear Stefano,
Having devoted most of your professional life to multilateral diplomacy, you have seen the OSCE as an
opportunity to test the strengths and the limitations of multilateralism.
You have done this with distinction by representing your country not only as a “cultural superpower”, but also as
a strong supporter of our Organisation, its principles and its continued relevance, putting special emphasis on
OSCE´s impact on the ground.
Your dedication to enhancing the understanding of the OSCE’s mission and activities beyond the confines of
Vienna has been remarkable and unprecedented.
The three cycles of online seminars on the OSCE for Italian universities are just case in point.
You have also made significant contributions to the literature on the OSCE and Italy´s engagement with the
Organisation. Thank you for your dedication in raising the profile of the OSCE, also through your active
involvement in the social media space.
Dear Ambassadors, colleagues and above all, dear friends,
As you are all embarking on new challenges and opportunities, we want to express our deep gratitude for your
significant contributions to the work of the OSCE.
Your presence and leadership will be greatly missed, both at the professional and – just as importantly – at the
personal level.
For your next endeavors, be it in capital or a posting abroad, we wish you and your families all the very best.
I thank you, Madam Chairperson.
