MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) – There is a rigid political division in the OSCE region, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the International Organizations in Vienna Andrei Dapkiunas said at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, BelTA has learned.
During the meeting on 19 September, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen presented the tentative program and priorities of the incoming Finnish OSCE Chairmanship in 2025. The permanent delegations of states parties made comments and assessments.
"We take note of the priorities of the incoming chairmanship and understand that it will not be easy for the chairmanship to maintain objectivity and impartiality in the face of a rigid political division in the OSCE region. Therefore, today we would like to emphasize that the chairmanship means the chairmanship not of the majority but of all the member states of our organization. This is why its efficiency depends on an attentive attitude to the interests and concerns of each and every one," Andrei Dapkiunas said.
According to the diplomat, all countries would like to see the OSCE chairmanship not in the role of a fiery speaker and leader, but in the much more important role of a thoughtful and unbiased mediator.
"Not in the role of a public political organizer, but a humble, persistent and often invisible builder of understanding and greater trust. We wish our Finnish colleagues wisdom and determination in carrying out the mandate of the OSCE chairmanship honestly, impartially and fairly, with equal attention to interests and opinions of all member states in accordance with the decision of the Ministerial Council in Porto in 2002," Andrei Dapkiunas said.
"We sincerely hope that our Finnish colleagues will be able to carry out this difficult mission with honor and will help our organization to overcome the current development crisis. The role of the OSCE chairmanship in this can hardly be overestimated," he added.
During the meeting on 19 September, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen presented the tentative program and priorities of the incoming Finnish OSCE Chairmanship in 2025. The permanent delegations of states parties made comments and assessments.
"We take note of the priorities of the incoming chairmanship and understand that it will not be easy for the chairmanship to maintain objectivity and impartiality in the face of a rigid political division in the OSCE region. Therefore, today we would like to emphasize that the chairmanship means the chairmanship not of the majority but of all the member states of our organization. This is why its efficiency depends on an attentive attitude to the interests and concerns of each and every one," Andrei Dapkiunas said.
According to the diplomat, all countries would like to see the OSCE chairmanship not in the role of a fiery speaker and leader, but in the much more important role of a thoughtful and unbiased mediator.
"Not in the role of a public political organizer, but a humble, persistent and often invisible builder of understanding and greater trust. We wish our Finnish colleagues wisdom and determination in carrying out the mandate of the OSCE chairmanship honestly, impartially and fairly, with equal attention to interests and opinions of all member states in accordance with the decision of the Ministerial Council in Porto in 2002," Andrei Dapkiunas said.
"We sincerely hope that our Finnish colleagues will be able to carry out this difficult mission with honor and will help our organization to overcome the current development crisis. The role of the OSCE chairmanship in this can hardly be overestimated," he added.
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