OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák, in Moldova, said Slovakia attaches great importance to advancing the Settlement Process as part of its focus on preventing and mediating conflicts, and in mitigating their impact on people.

Lajčák said he was shocked by the alarming conditions of people living near the contact line, and called on the sides to step up their efforts for a peaceful political solution to the crisis.

Switzerland aims to bring a new perspective to established and current politico-military issues, said State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Pascale Baeriswyl.

Preventing and resolving conflicts, a safer future and effective multilateralism to guide Slovakia’s OSCE Chairmanship, Lajčák tells Permanent Council.

Co-operation is not an option, but a necessity.

Moavero Milanesi: We are extremely concerned by the announcement of “elections” due to be held in certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk on 11 November. Such a decision would run counter to the letter and the spirit of the Minsk agreements.

The fundamental right to suffrage was undermined in places by the disenfranchisement of some groups and the lack of full representation in Congress. Campaign finance rules do not guarantee full transparency, the observers said.

Miroslav Lajčák, Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs: The challenges we are facing are global. They are greater than Europe. Greater than Mediterranean. Greater than Africa. We must realize that the Mediterranean does not divide us. The Mediterranean unites us. It binds us.

Only by establishing open and competitive energy markets can prices be lowered, the security of supply improved, and competitiveness increased - Lukáš Parízek, Slovak State Secretary of Foreign and European Affairs and Special Representative of the Slovak Foreign Minister for the OSCE Chairmanship of 2019