OSCE core principles must be safeguarded in Ukraine, says Secretary General

ALPBACH, Austria, 26 August 2014 - Separatism and changes in borders must be firmly rejected and the core OSCE principles followed during the crisis in Ukraine, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier told the European Forum Alpbach this weekend.

Underlining the Organization’s core belief in the respect of borders and territorial integrity of states, Zannier told the audience that the political process must be paramount and that the key objective at present was to achieve a ceasefire. He reminded them of the OSCE principles set down in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and subsequent texts which acted as a foundation for European security and cooperation.

He underlined the importance of dialogue and, in this context, the role of the Trilateral Contact Group, which includes Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.  He added that strong protection of minorities and their inclusion in the political process was essential in order to achieve sustainable peace in multi-ethnic societies: the OSCE, and particularly its High Commissioner on National Minorities, could be instrumental in achieving this in Ukraine.

Humanitarian aid was needed, he stressed, but on condition that the host country gave its consent and that it was co-ordinated through relevant international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).