Today in Vienna, Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand presented Estonia’s Council of Europe chairmanship priorities at the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). There was also a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and OSCE Permanent Council chairman, German Ambassador Eberhard Pohl.
Speaking of Estonia’s priorities as Council of Europe chairman – human rights and the rule of law on the Internet, gender equality and children's rights – Foreign Minister Kaljurand said Estonia's priorities are inextricably linked to the issues currently on the OSCE’s agenda. “Therefore, I consider the cooperation of both of these organisations, which stand for the core values of Europe to be very important; both in the field of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law,” the Foreign Minister said and stressed the necessity of cooperative work between the OSCE and the Council of Europe in election observation, promoting tolerance and in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalization and cybercrime.
In her speech, Kaljurand stressed the OSCE's leading role in solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as frozen conflicts. “The efforts of all parties are necessary in order to restore security, as is the international community's attention and support,” Kaljurand said. The Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction that Nadiya Savchenko, who had been unlawfully detained in Russia, has returned home safely.
Kaljurand also met with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier in Vienna today, with whom she discussed the security situation in Europe and OSCE activities in Ukraine. Kaljurand expressed concern about the continuing violations of ceasefires in eastern Ukraine, which are an obstacle to finding a political solution.
According to Kaljurand, the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine, in which six Estonians are also participating, has an important role to play in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and in the control of arms retraction. “Therefore it is crucial that the security of the observers be guaranteed and that they are allowed unhindered access to the entire conflict region,” Foreign Minister Kaljurand said.
Kaljurand also stressed the role of the OSCE in conflict prevention and the promotion of democratic values.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/sets/72157668819012156
Address by Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand.
Additional information:
Mariann Sudakov
Communication Department, Foreign Ministry
(+372) 5216821
[email protected]
COMMUNCIATION DEPARTMENT, FOREIGN MINISTRY
(+372) 5824 6622
[email protected]