OSCE Secretary General on Ukraine as Ministerial Council meets

Kyiv, 4 December 2013  - On the eve of the Organization’s Ministerial Council, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and the Organization’s Chairperson in Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara discussed ongoing developments in Ukraine.

Zannier said he welcomed assurances from Minister Kozhara that Ukraine would respect citizens’ right to peacefully protest and that recent incidents of excessive force were being investigated.

“Peaceful dialogue is at the core of the OSCE’s work and finding common ground through political means is our raison d’etre. This is as true at the grassroots as it is between countries,” he said.

“Respect of fundamental rights, such as freedom of assembly, the right to free expression and giving journalists the liberty to do their work is essential to ensuring cohesive and secure societies. All sides should enter dialogue peacefully and without resort to violence or other actions which prevent constructive engagement.

“The OSCE remains available – and so am I personally - to help to foster dialogue between all sides in the present situation,” he added.

Kozhara and Zannier will both speak at the opening of the Ministerial Council tomorrow morning. For more information visit https://www.osce.org/event/mc_2013