News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office addresses Ministerial Council event on crisis in and around Ukraine, praises work of SMM and Trilateral Contact Group
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
HAMBURG, Germany, 8 December 2016 – On the first day of the 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed delegations at a side event on the crisis in and around Ukraine. The minister was briefed by his Special Representative in Ukraine and to the Trilateral Contact Group, Martin Sajdik, and the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ertuğrul Apakan, on the state of play...
Joint Statement by the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Countries
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
HAMBURG, Germany, 8 December 2016- We, the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State of the United States John Kerry, and Foreign Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault- remain fully committed to a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict...
OSCE/ODIHR final report on parliamentary elections in Belarus recommends review of legislation, ensuring an equal playing field and respect for fundamental freedoms
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Belarus’s 11 September 2016 parliamentary elections recommends a comprehensive review of the legislation in line with international obligations and standards for conducting democratic elections, and ensuring
We need a strong OSCE for a secure Europe says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier at opening of Hamburg Ministerial Council
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
HAMBURG, Germany, 8 December 2016 – Frank-Walter Steinmeier, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister, today opened the 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, emphasizing that in stormy times a strong OSCE is more important than ever to provide an effective framework and engine for dialogue and co-operation. All 57 participating States, the vast majority of them represented by their Foreign Minister, have gathered in Hamburg for this two-day meeting which is the culmination of Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship...
OSCE Centre in Bishkek marks International Human Rights Day with discussion on its trial monitoring results
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2016, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the Human Rights Advocacy Centre held a roundtable discussion on the results of their monitoring of court hearings, with the aim of analysing the findings and collecting recommendations from participants, which included representatives of state structures, civil society and international organizations...
In address to OSCE Ministerial Council, PA President Muttonen urges strong and effective OSCE through principle-based dialogue
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
HAMBURG, 8 December 2016 – Addressing the foreign ministers of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s 57 participating States and other dignitaries today, Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) said that a strong OSCE is needed to help to improve the security situation across North America, Europe and Central Asia. She stressed that the PA stands ready to do its part working for a more effective organization, noting that OSCE parliamentarians can help mobilize the political will needed for real results...
New anti-corruption tools and international co-operation promoted at OSCE-supported conference in Kazakhstan
Publishing date: 8 December 2016