‘We believe in the story of Helsinki’ – OSCE Chairperson, in Washington D.C., urges Helsinki Commission to work together for safer future

WASHINGTON, D.C., 3 April 2019 – Discussing the main priorities of the 2019 Slovak OSCE Chairmanship and current developments across the OSCE at his congressional U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (“Helsinki Commission”) hearing, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák called on members of the Helsinki Commission to work together for a more stable and prosperous OSCE area – and one in which every person enjoys security and individual rights.

“We believe in multilateralism - this fundamental problem-solving and war-preventing tool in international relations; the raison d´être of the OSCE,” Lajčák stressed in his address. “We believe in nations coming together, building foundations of trust and working together to advance security and prosperity. We believe in the story of Helsinki,” he continued, as “this story ties together 57 states spanning three continents, helping to make security, human rights and the rule of law a reality for over a billion people.”

“The OSCE and the Helsinki Commission engaged on Slovakia’s road to democracy from the beginning. And today, we ourselves actively pass on our experience and expertise regarding democratic transitions,” he said.

The Chairperson-in-Office urged the Helsinki Commissioners to unlock the potential and rediscover the added value of the OSCE for the people it was created to serve, which includes local know-how, a vast presence on the ground, and outstanding, targeted expertise, including through its three independent institutions that deal with human rights, national minorities, and media freedom.

“We believe the OSCE is equipped with many of the tools we need to overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow. And we are dedicating our Chairmanship to adapting, updating and making better use of them,” Lajčák underlined.

Emphasizing the crucial role of the Helsinki Commission, Lajčák pointed out: “You keep us alert to emerging challenges – from cyber-terrorism, the use of technology in organized crime and human trafficking, to the safety of journalists and shrinking space for critical voices from civil society.”

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office concluded his hearing with a call for more dialogue and better co-operation. He also commended the Commissioners for their active role in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, saying that their participation brings the hopes, ideas and concerns of the people they represent to the Organization.

While in Washington, D.C., Lajčák attended the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) Ministerial Forum and a NATO Ministerial meeting on NATO at 70: Commemorating the Past. Preparing for the Future.

He also met with U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton; Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan; U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker; and Chairman of the Helsinki Commission Alcee Hastings.