Ending conflicts and working to restore, maintain peace and co-operation at heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s priorities as FSC Chair

Amidst the continuing aggression against Ukraine, the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) must do all it can to help stop the war and diminish its impact on Ukraine and the region, said Josip Brkić, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in opening the country’s FSC Chairmanship on 18 January 2023.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina, given its tragic and relatively recent history, certainly feels the pain of people in Ukraine. It is quite fitting for this Forum, tasked with both security and co-operation, to do our utmost to contribute toending the bloodshed and work on restoring and maintaining lasting peace and co-operation,” he said.

Over the next four months, the Chairmanship’s activities will draw on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s experiences. Its priorities will include lessons from regional approaches to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition, the implementation of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, demining, and increasing the number of women in decision-making positions related to peace and security.

“We have much work to do. And, around this table in particular, we need a lot more dialogue and a lot less monologue from all of us. We owe it to our citizens and to our children to do our best to put our differences aside and bring an end to the wars, bloodshed and conflicts across the OSCE region. Let us do our best and come together — for a common good and our common future,” added Brkić.

The Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation rotates three times a year. It takes the lead in setting the agenda for each meeting of the Forum and brings attention to issues concerning the implementation of commitments adopted by the Forum.