Statement by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Italy, Enzo Moavero Milanesi

ROME, 15 June 2018 – It is an honour to be the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. In a world of complex and inter-linked challenges that require effective multilateral solutions, the OSCE has a crucial role to play in fostering inclusive dialogue and improving our regional security. As the world’s largest regional security organization, the OSCE is a unique platform for political co-operation.

The concept of comprehensive security, upon which the OSCE is based, is today more topical than ever. It means that domestic and international security, economic and environmental co-operation, political and military dialogue, as well as respect for human rights and fundamental principles are intimately interconnected and must be pursued with a holistic approach. It is at the core of our vision for an innovative international security architecture.

This is the reason why “Dialogue, Ownership and Responsibility” is the motto of the Italian OSCE Chairmanship, reflecting the main principles which inspired the establishment of our Organization four decades ago and which can guide us on the way ahead.

Italy will do its utmost to build bridges and promote consensus. To relaunch the spirit of Helsinki, we need to strengthen the effectiveness of our Organization. Making the OSCE stronger, more responsive, more transparent, more resilient and open to new and effective collaboration, also with our Mediterranean and Asian Partners, is essential for the European and global security architecture.

As holder of the OSCE Chairmanship, Italy will continue to give great importance to the many challenges and opportunities emanating from the Mediterranean region, including migration. This is why intensifying dialogue and co-operation with the countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean is essential for us.

We will continue to give top priority to the crisis in and around Ukraine, fully supporting the diplomatic efforts of the Normandy Format and of the Trilateral Contact Group to find a peaceful solution through the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

As for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, the positive outcome of the 5+2 talks, which took place in Rome on 29 and 30 May, proves that proactively supporting existing negotiation frameworks can contribute to delivering continued progress and tangible results for the benefit of people.

We will also encourage a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by supporting the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. And we will continue to ensure an active OSCE contribution as Co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions, which deal with the consequences of the 2008 war in Georgia.

The Italian Chairmanship will continue to work intensively to strengthen the three security dimensions of the OSCE: the politico-military dimension, the economic and environment dimension, and the human dimension.

We will maintain the strong focus on transnational threats. This includes fighting terrorism and radicalization, with a focus on combating the use of the Internet by terrorist groups; cybersecurity; and combating all forms of illicit trafficking. Fighting corruption will also remain high on our agenda, as corruption undermines the relationship - built on trust - between governments and their citizens.

The respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is our greatest common good. We therefore encourage the participating States to pay greater attention to countering trafficking in human beings and protecting the rights of victims, especially women, children and unaccompanied minors. We will counter all forms of racism, xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination.

In the OSCE we need a long-term, positive vision: to inspire and guide our actions; to defuse tensions through dialogue; to fully utilize the tool-kit of co-operative security; and to rediscover the bonds of civility that unite 57 participating States, from Vancouver to Vladivostok, despite their differences.

As OSCE Chairmanship, we will apply all our efforts, our determination and our resources to drive this vision forward. And we look forward to co-operating with all participating States and Partners for Co-operation to achieve these common goals.