OSCE an important actor in conflict prevention and resolution, says Irish Prime Minister

VIENNA, 27 February 2008 - The OSCE should continue to play a key role in the areas of security, conflict prevention and resolution, democracy and human rights, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern told a special meeting of the OSCE today.

Speaking at a joint session of the OSCE Permanent Council and Forum for Security Co-operation, the Prime Minister urged the 56 participating States to support the OSCE, which he termed a "truly remarkable organization".

"Difficulties remain but when one looks at the long-term perspective, the OSCE area has to a very large extent developed as a zone of peace, whose participating States have committed themselves to observing fundamental norms with regard to democracy and human rights," he said.

Prime Minister Ahern cited the peace in Northern Ireland as an example of the long term and positive change of perspective that occurred in the OSCE region.

"This progress did not occur by chance," he said. "This required constructive engagement, creative thinking and the painstaking building of trust between divided communities. It required a willingness to take risks for peace and to step forward into a different, shared future, leaving behind the divisions of the past."

The Prime Minister emphasized that a "dialogue of equals", and the exchange of views and experiences, should be central to the work of the OSCE. In particular, he called for constructive dialogue on the Organization's election monitoring activities.

"Elections which conform to internationally accepted standards are at the heart of any sustainable social progress," he said. "The monitoring of elections by experienced observers and the recommendations they make are benefits of participation in the OSCE and not burdens imposed on some by others."

Commending the OSCE's work in the human dimension, security and in the economic and environmental area, the Prime Minister underscored the Organization's continuing relevance.

"Every one of our States has human rights and political challenges to meet," he said. "I know that this Organization is too valuable to be allowed to fail or fade away. What is needed is recognition of current realities informed by the will to transform, or at least to improve, these realities."

The Forum for Security Co-operation meets weekly in Vienna to discuss and make decisions regarding military aspects of security in the OSCE area, in particular confidence- and security-building measures. The Permanent Council, a separate body that also meets each week, is responsible for making political decisions.