OSCE remains at forefront of conflict resolution through mediation, say participants of high-level meeting in Vienna

VIENNA, 10 October 2014 - Mediation, now more than ever, is an important tool for resolving conflicts through peaceful means, and the OSCE remains at the forefront of conflict resolution as a mediator, providing support as well as sharing expertise and knowledge, said participants of a high-level conference on mediation in the OSCE area, which opened today in Vienna.

The conference is organized by the Finnish non-profit organization Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), in co-operation with the Co-chairs of the OSCE Group of Friends of Mediation – Finland, Turkey and Switzerland, and with the support of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre. It was attended by more than 180 participants including envoys of regional and international organizations, negotiators and mediators from a number of peace processes from around the world as well as experts working in the field.

Opening the conference, Andrea Rauber, Deputy Head of the Swiss Mission to the OSCE, said that mediation and dialogue facilitation are the most effective means in bringing violent conflicts to a peaceful end. She highlighted OSCE mediation activities in the Ukraine crisis and the added value of involving civil society in mediation processes.

As OSCE Chair in 2014, Switzerland’s goal is to increase mediation support capacities within the Organization, Rauber said, and welcomed the efforts by Finland, Turkey and some other participating States in this area.

On a top-level panel about mediation in highly-politicized contexts, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari said that any mediator should act as an honest broker with an understanding of the external context of the process.

OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, called for creativity in mediation activities and strong dialogue and co-ordination among institutions and international organizations involved in mediation efforts.

Ambassador Herbert Salber, the EU’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, stressed the importance of understanding the root-causes of a conflict and the ability to relate to the parties and their concerns and interests.

Other panel discussions, moderated by the Finnish and Turkish Permanent Representatives to the OSCE, Ambassador Katja Pehrman and Ambassador Tacan Ildem, focused on the dilemma of inclusive mediation versus broad participation in mediation processes, and the role the OSCE can play in promoting national dialogue and building confidence across different divides.

The conference concluded with final remarks by Katri Vilnikka, Director of the Unit for UN and General Global Affairs of the Finnish Foreign Ministry. She also advocated increased mediation capacities and its merits within the OSCE.