OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE GEORGE PAPANDREOU: PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS AFFECTED BY PROTRACTED CONFLICTS NEED PEACE AND STABILITY, NOT A FRAGILE STATUS QUO
ARMENPRESS
Oct 30, 2009
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS: The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Greek
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou, called on OSCE
participating States today to invigorate co-operation and solidarity
to address prevailing tensions.
In a video address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, Prime
Minister Papandreou identified mistrust as one of the main challenges
the Organization faces. "There cannot be lasting peace in the OSCE
region as long as we continue to view our relations through a zero-sum
lens. Our wins should be victories for all; one’s losses should be
a loss for the many. "This is the solidarity we need to achieve,"
Papandreou said.
The Chairman-in-Office also referred to protracted conflicts, saying
that "they are potential sources of discord, and we cannot afford
to leave them on the back burner. The war in Georgia has proven
this point".
He stressed that people living in areas affected by protracted
conflicts "need peace and stability, not a fragile status quo".
Looking ahead to the 1-2 December OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens,
Papandreou said the meeting would be an opportunity to "make a fresh
start and revitalize the spirit of Helsinki". The Helsinki Final Act
of 1975 laid the foundation for what today is the OSCE.