Promoting environment of transparency and openness important in addressing security challenges in OSCE area, says State Secretary Salestrand

VIENNA, 5 September 2018 – Transparency and openness will be the main theme of Sweden’s Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security C-operation (FSC), said the State Secretary to the Swedish Minister of Defence, Jan Salestrand.

In his opening address, Salestrand stressed that sustainable peace, security and a rules-based order in Europe can only be achieved by restoring respect for the principles and commitments of the OSCE and international law. “This is the approach of Sweden in the OSCE, including for the Swedish chairmanship of the FSC,” he said.

Noting the need to make sure that the OSCE’s documents and agreements in the politico-military field are upheld, Salestrand said that there is room for improvement in how they are utilized.

“Sweden believes that challenges to European security must be met through deepened co-operation and joint action. But on a national level, every country must accept its share of the responsibility,” Salestrand said, adding that the rules-based order can only function when everyone adheres to the rules.

Touching upon priorities of Sweden’s FSC Chairmanship, State Secretary Salestrand said that one of the emphases of the discussions within the security dialogue will be on regional co-operation, with the goal of increasing transparency and confidence. “We will outline examples of Nordic-Baltic co-operation in the Baltic Sea region, such as the work carried out in the Nordic Defence Cooperation and the Sea Surveillance Cooperation Baltic Sea.”

Salestrand noted that the Swedish FSC Chairmanship will contribute to the security dialogue on combating the spread of small arms and light weapons (SALW) by presenting the experience of a country that is on the receiving end of the illegal flow of arms. “We will give attention to the experience of countering illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in the Öresund region,” he said.  

This security dialogue will be followed by the Review Meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (CA) in October. The aim is to start the process of reviewing the normative side of the work relating to non-proliferation of SALW and CA.

The role of international organizations in the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be another topic for discussion during the Swedish FSC Chairmanship.

State Secretary Salestrand stressed the importance of women’s active participation in peace processes, as it essential for creating “legitimacy, ownership and sustainability” in peace and security. In this regard one meeting will be dedicated to the 18th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

“The Chairmanship has invited women flag officers from both east and west of Vienna as speakers. We look forward to a constructive and meaningful exchange,” Salestrand concluded.