Ukraine deputy Foreign Minister outlines bid to chair OSCE in 2013

VIENNA, 11 November 2010 - Ukraine is ready to put its expertise and experience at the service of the OSCE, both by playing a constructive role at the upcoming OSCE Summit and as potential chairmanship country in 2013, Ukrainian deputy Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told the OSCE Permanent Council today. 

"We expect that the OSCE Summit in Astana will give a strong political impetus to further work of the Organization in strengthening security and stability, fostering cross-dimensional cooperation as well as consolidating fundamental freedoms and human rights in the entire OSCE area," Klimkin said.

"Ukraine's position on European security issues is based on a premise of security which is comprehensive and indivisible. Ukraine strongly supports the concept of a security community where the use of force would be unthinkable. We are not there yet, but it is in our common interest to reach that goal. The process for measurable progress towards this goal could be launched by the Astana Summit."

Outlining Ukraine's readiness to chair the OSCE in 2013, Klimkin said that "Ukraine presents a good example of fruitful co-operation with the OSCE and its institutions. Ukraine holds in high esteem the work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in election observation, and will continue to support its impartial mandate."

Klimkin also said that Ukraine has benefited from "co-operation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and will continue our open and constructive dialogue".

The OSCE Chairmanship is decided by consensus by the 56 participating States. Kazakhstan, which holds the 2010 Chairmanship, will be succeeded by Lithuania. Ireland will chair the Organization in 2012.

The Permanent Council, one of the main regular decision-making bodies of the Organization, convenes regularly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make appropriate decisions.