OSCE Asian Partnership celebrates 30 years of co-operation with Japan

On 22 July 2022, an OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group discussion was held in Vienna on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of co-operation between the OSCE and Japan. Japan was the first Asian country to be invited to a CSCE meeting in 1992.

Currently, co-operation is taking place against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is putting the spotlight on the importance of strengthened partnership, active co-operation and engagement between Europe and Asia. Participants explored opportunities for co-operation among OSCE participating States and Asian Partners for Co-operation in the context of human security as approach to peacebuilding.

The meeting was organized by the Swedish Chair of the Group in co-operation with Japan and included a video message by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takako Suzuki. “We will continue to make every effort to realize peacebuilding in the international community also through this solidarity,” she said.

“The OSCE Asian Partnership is more important than ever, including the need to strengthen security for all and by all, across our two regions. As Chair of the OSCE Asian partnership this year, Sweden appreciates Japan’s long-standing commitment and support to our security cooperation,” said Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE and Chairperson of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, Ulrika Funered in the opening session.

Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE and Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, Adam Hałaciński highlighted that through its active contributions to the OSCE Asian Partnership, Japan has continuously shown its attachment to, and observance of, high standards in such spheres as human rights and international law. “In the face of the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine the values of humanity and multilateralism are as important as ever,” he added.

“Since participation as a Partner, Japan has actively contributed to OSCE discussions at Hofburg and in activities of field operations. I am glad to look back at what we have achieved so far and look forward to further co-operation in future,” said Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the OSCE, Akira Mizutani.

OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid highlighted, how valuable it is to work together: “Japan has been a committed Partner for Co-operation from the start and has set an example on the role that a Partner state can play in contributing to various OSCE projects and activities,” she said.

The following thematic discussion focused on human security as approach to peacebuilding. It featured OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, Alena Kupchyna, Representative of the Secretary-General at the United Nations Office in Belgrade, Mari Yamashita, and Director of the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe, Richard C. Niebusch as panellists.