[…] Recalling the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, Rydberg ( Sweden’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs) that “the European security order – territorial integrity, refraining from the threat or use of force and upholding the right of each country to choose its own foreign and security arrangement – constitutes a core security policy interest for my own country. It is in the interest of the whole OSCE region.”
He said that Sweden’s primary focus as Chair “will have to be to go back to basics” and the fundamental tasks of the OSCE, reminding participating States that it is high time to live up to the common commitments laid down in the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter of 1990.
Turning to the conflicts in the OSCE area, Rydberg said that efforts to resolve these will be at the very top of the incoming Chair’s agenda. On the protracted conflicts in the OSCE area, he said that Sweden would support the efforts to bring these conflicts closer to a resolution. Rydberg expressed deep concern about the increased violence and the loss of life along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We support the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Kasprzyk in their efforts to de-escalate the situation,” he said.
Rydberg also specifically mentioned the crisis in and around Ukraine and noted that it remains one of the most blatant and recent challenges to the European security order.
“As Chair we will continue to build on the dedicated efforts of our predecessors in finding a sustainable political solution to the conflict, in line with OSCE principles and commitments. This must be in full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” Rydberg stated. Läs pressmeddelande