Starting on January 1, 2013, Ukraine assumes the chairmanship of the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
During its chairmanship, Ukraine will make every effort to settle protracted conflicts, strengthen the control over the conventional arms and the fight against human trafficking, reduce the impact of energy sector on the environment and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Foreign Ministry’s press service quoted Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara as saying.
The minister noted the role of Ukraine as one of the mediators and guarantors of the Transdniestrian conflict settlement and the significant achievements in this process made in 2012. He stressed the need to further address the settlement of this and other protracted conflicts in the OSCE.
“We should give a new impetus to the negotiations within the existing format and prevent any escalation of the conflict. The resolution of protracted conflicts must remain the highest priority for the OSCE and all participating states,” Kozhara said.
Ukraine will also focus on the consolidation of the efforts of member states in the field of arms control.
Energy security is another priority of Ukraine’s chairmanship of the OSCE. “One of the specific issues that merits a distinct place in our political dialogue within the OSCE is energy security, in particular its environmental aspects,” he said.
Ukraine will also promote the fight against human trafficking and support the freedom of speech.
Kozhara also noted that the OSCE could greatly benefit from engaging non-governmental organizations and academic institutions to the Organization’s major initiatives.
He praised the achievements of the outgoing Irish Chairmanship and pledged to take forward the ‘Helsinki +40’ process agreed at the Dublin Ministerial meeting last December to develop the Organization’s strategic path in the run up to the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act in 2015.
“Ukraine sees its Chairmanship mission as further promoting the conditions that would lead to change in our mindsets – from confrontational thinking to a co-operative approach,” Kozhara said.
The Ukrainian minister will officially present priorities of Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on January 17, 2013.
