OSCE and UN joint efforts on Ukraine highlighted as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and UN Secretary General meet

NEW YORK, 24 February – Co-operation between the OSCE and the UN, the situation in and around Ukraine and the OSCE role in dealing with the crisis were discussed during a meeting between OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,  Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The meeting, also attended by OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, was held on the eve of OSCE CiO Dacic’s briefing to the UN Security Council on UN/OSCE co-operation.

Secretary General Ban and Chairperson Dačić underlined the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine, emphasizing the opportunity created by the agreement reached in Minsk on 12 February. They also stressed that the OSCE and UN presences in Ukraine should explore ways to strengthen cooperation, especially on humanitarian and human rights issues.

Chairperson Dačić commended diplomatic efforts by the Trilateral Contact Group, adding that concrete steps for implementing the Package of Measures adopted on 12 February have been designed, but should only be implemented once a verifiable ceasefire has been established.  He stressed that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which continues to provide objective reporting and data from the conflict area despite many challenges, is unique and invaluable.   

In the year which marks the 70th anniversary of the UN Charter and the 40th anniversary of the OSCE Helsinki Final Act, the two organizations should keep on working hand-in-hand, Secretary General Ban said. He commended the OSCE - “a broad, consensus-based regional organization” - for its contribution to international cooperation, conflict prevention and resolution.