OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General announce upcoming closure of Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

WARSAW/VIENNA, 30 June – OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, and OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, have announced that the OSCE has initiated steps to close the office of the Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

This decision follows the lack of consensus by the OSCE Permanent Council to extend the Project Co-ordinator’s mandate, due to the position of the Russian Federation.

“Regrettably, despite the overwhelming support from participating States for the continuation of the important work that the Project Co-ordinator has carried out for 23 years, no consensus on its mandate extension was reached due to the position of the Russian Federation,” Chairman-in-Office Rau said.

“The Polish Chairmanship will make every effort to preserve the invaluable experience and expertise the Project Co-ordinator gained in the country and ensure that the OSCE remains present, and engaged with Ukraine. Today, when the country is facing unprecedented challenges and hardships due to the ongoing war, our support is more important than ever,” he stressed.

Secretary General Schmid thanked in particular the mission members of the Project Co-ordinator for their work over the past 23 years.

“I would like to express my immense gratitude to the dedicated staff of the Project Co-ordinator whose professionalism and commitment I had the privilege to observe first-hand when I visited the mission last year,” she said. “I cannot stress enough how impressed and proud I am of these committed men and women.”

“Not only have they contributed to the steady transformation in the country for over two decades, but they also worked around the clock to support Ukraine and its people in these most challenging times. Even with the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the Mission has continued its vital work – from countering trafficking in human beings, to helping build the country’s humanitarian demining capacity, and to ensuring legal support for internally displaced people and vulnerable populations,” she emphasized. “While we unfortunately have to close the mission, the duty of care for our staff will remain at the forefront of our efforts.”

Chairman Rau underlined that the Polish Chairmanship will continue consultations with the participating States regarding the OSCE’s future role and presence in Ukraine.

As of 1 July, all mandated activities stop. The Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine will retain its status as an OSCE field operation until its closure is complete, all its mission members will remain OSCE officials until they separate from the OSCE and, as such, are to be afforded the appropriate protections, including during closure proceedings. All assets will remain the property of the OSCE until their final disposal.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine was established on 1 June 1999 following a consensus decision by all participating States.

Its mandated tasks were focused on enhancing the country’s security and developing its legislation, institutions, and practices in line with democratic standards.

Since its deployment, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been supporting Ukraine in its reform efforts by undertaking crucial work in many areas. These range from supporting persons affected by conflict and crisis, combating human trafficking and supporting the country in its humanitarian demining efforts to environmental protection and media freedom.