OSCE ‘REVITALIZED’ AT HELSINKI MINISTERIAL COUNCIL, HIGH-LEVEL TALKS ON EUROPEAN SECURITY TO CONTINUE

AKIpress News Agency
December 8, 2008 Monday
Kyrgyzstan

The spirit of Helsinki has revitalized the OSCE, and the meeting of
foreign ministers gave new impetus to discussions on European security
challenges, said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister
Alexander Stubb, at the close of the OSCE Ministerial Council in
Helsinki on December 5.The two-day meeting, which was attended by a
record 50 foreign ministers from the OSCE’s 56 participating States,
concluded with the 2009 Greek Chairmanship indicating willingness
to convene a high-level meeting to continue the talks on European
security that took place here.In the closing address, Finnish Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen said that the meeting had been "constructive
and substantive"."During these two days the ministers have had the
unique opportunity to share views and exchange ideas on security
challenges and possible next steps. From our point of view the OSCE is
a natural forum to discuss European security issues, also at the high
level if needed," he said.Stubb called the meeting a success, although
the ministers did not agree a joint political declaration. "I’m a
little bit disappointed that we didn’t get a political declaration.

I think we had a window of opportunity to do it – we missed it. But at
least we were able to sort a few of the key issues," he said.Thirteen
decisions were taken by the OSCE ministers, including agreement on a
ministerial statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They welcomed
the "constructive and positive momentum in the peace process for the
political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", and encouraged
the sides to intensify negotiations.The foreign ministers also agreed
to enhance OSCE efforts to improve the situation of Roma and Sinti,
and to combat trafficking in human beings. Other decisions concerned,
among other issues, small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of
conventional ammunition, and countering terrorism.The Greek 2009 OSCE
Chairmanship was tasked with pursuing dialogue on strengthening
the legal framework of the OSCE. Marking the 60th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ministers also
reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the declaration.The
Chairman-in-Office referred to the foreign ministers’ discussion on the
future of European security that took place yesterday as a high point
of the meeting: "It was refreshing, it was frank, it was open, and it
was analytical, and that in and of itself to me is part of the spirit
of Helsinki."Greek Foreign Minister and 2009 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
Dora Bakoyannis emphasized the Greek Chairmanship’s commitment to
continuing the talks."The discussions we have started in Helsinki
should be taken forward. As the incoming Chairmanship, Greece stands
ready to take forward proposals to continue our high-level dialogue
on Euro-Atlantic security, perhaps through the convening of a special
meeting to deepen the debate and clarify the questions that remain,"
she said.