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Media accreditation now open for 26th OSCE Ministerial Council, 5-6 December in Bratislava, Slovakia

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 15:32

Bratislava/VIENNA, 25 October 2019 – The 26th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place on 5 and 6 December 2019 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The event will be held at the invitation of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák.

The Ministerial Council is the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE. The annual meeting is an opportunity for the Foreign Ministers of the 57 OSCE participating States to review and assess the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area, as well as the organization's work in all its fields of activity.

Journalists are invited to cover the event, which will be held at the Incheba Expo Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Advance accreditation of media representatives is mandatory. The deadline for registration is 6 p.m. on 15 November 2019. Accreditation will be granted following self-registration via https://media.mzv.sk

For detailed instructions, please consult the Registration Manual – Media.

Media representatives must indicate their full name, place and date of birth, passport number and nationality, postal address, e-mail address, name and country of media. Only registrations in Slovak or English will be accepted.

Media wishing to park vehicles for live broadcasting from the event (SNG trucks) in a designated parking area must register the SNG trucks and their drivers in advance.

For this purpose, please send an e-mail to media.osce@mzv.sk giving the following information: Type of vehicle, license plate number, name of the media company, full name of SNG crew members.

Visa requirements must be met before arrival in Slovakia. Accredited journalists are invited to make their own visa arrangements as soon as possible.

Follow the news about the Ministerial Council on Twitter at @OSCE, @Slovakia_OSCE and #OSCEMC19.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir and OSCE Head of Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Kavalec strongly condemn threat against Žurnal journalist

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 15:29

VIENNA / SARAJEVO, 25 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kathleen Kavalec, strongly condemned today a death threat sent to Avdo Avdić, a journalist of the Žurnal news website.

On 24 October, a person with an alleged criminal background recorded a video message in which he insulted and threatened Avdić by saying that: “they will search for him in ditches”. According to media reports, this threat is closely related to Avdić’s investigative reporting on money laundering and other criminal offences.

“I strongly condemn this heinous threat, which is totally unacceptable. It is of utmost importance that the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina investigate this case without any delay, and bring the person responsible for this message to justice,” Désir said. “Journalists must be able to do their investigative work without fearing for their lives. Those who utter such threats must face the harshest justice. This is necessary to protect the safety of journalists.”

Ambassador Kavalec added: “The BiH authorities should take these threats seriously, and do everything in their power to prevent it from happening. Investigative journalists play an important role in exposing serious crimes and can aid the authorities in their investigations.”

Désir and Kavalec reiterated their concern that this is not an isolated case against Žurnal and Avdić.

They also recalled the Decision on Safety of Journalists adopted last December at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan, stressing that its implementation is of crucial importance for ensuring that media professionals can exercise their work in a safe manner.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE and UN Office on Drugs and Crime deliver training course on countering terrorist financing in Uzbekistan

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 15:21
436814 Communication and Media Relations Section

A three-day training course aimed at further strengthening the capacity of Uzbekistan to counter terrorist financing concluded in Tashkent on 25 October 2019.

The training seminar was delivered to twenty-five Uzbek experts and practitioners from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Academy of the General Prosecutors Office, the Department at the General Prosecutors Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The course was organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s Global Programme against Money Laundering and its Regional Office for Central Asia. The training was delivered by international experts together with four local government officials who were trained in a train-the-trainers course in Vienna organized by the OSCE and the UNODC.

The aim of the training course was to assist Uzbekistan in implementing international standards, in particular UN Security Council Resolutions, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF)’s recommendations, OSCE and UN commitments.

Based on country- and region-specific scenarios, the training course included sessions on national, regional and transnational threats, sources of information and money flows, including hawala (a traditional system of transferring money). More than half of the course was devoted to practical exercises highlighting specific instruments and techniques that play an important role in countering the financing of terrorism. The course emphasized the key role of inter-agency co-operation in countering terrorist financing. 

The course was organized with the financial support of Germany as part of a comprehensive multiannual capacity-building programme to assist national efforts to counter terrorist financing in Central Asia.  

Categories: Central Europe

Spot Report by OSCE Observer Mission: Convoy of 27 vehicles crossed into Ukraine from the Russian Federation

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 14:15

This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 25 October at 10:45 (Moscow time), a convoy of 27 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). All 27 vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 25 October at 10:45, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a convoy of vehicles from the Russian Federation at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The group consisted of 27 vehicles: one escort minibus and 26 new vehicles of different types without licence plates.

Details of the vehicles are as follows: one escort minibus, type “Mercedes Sprinter” with “LPR” plates; six ambulances, type “Gazel Next”, with a sign "Reanimation" in front and "Urgent medical help" on the sides, in Russian language; five ambulances type “Gazel”, with signs "Urgent Medical help" on the sides in Russian language; six tractors with excavators  fixed, type “Belarus 821”; three graders, type "Orel"; two trucks type “Kamaz Frigo”;  three dump trucks type “ Kamaz”; and one small excavator for road works, loaded in one of the “Kamaz” dump trucks. No passengers were observed in the escorting minibus.

All vehicles, except for the escort minibus, were new, and without licence plates. The vehicles queued in the customs area and underwent border control procedures.

By 12:12, all vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Mission to Montenegro organizes workshop on security sector oversight for parliamentarians

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 13:28
437018 Marina Živaljević

Parliamentary oversight of the security sector was the topic of a two-day workshop organized in Podgorica by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for members of the country’s parliament and parliamentary staff on 24 and 25 October 2019.

Peter Vanhotte, a former Belgian MP with over 15 years of experience working with parliaments in the region and around the world, led the interactive workshop. The participants examined the basics and practical approaches of parliamentary oversight of the police, defence and intelligence, the relevant legislative framework, and how classified information should be handled.

John Corrigan, the Mission’s Security Co-operation and Governance Programme Manager, said that while challenges may vary from country to country in the region, it must be acknowledged that all parliamentarians are confronted by a rapidly changing environment, in which information is more available, more instantaneous and more difficult to verify than ever before.

“This makes parliaments a uniquely valuable resource that should be proudly recognized and supported. It is the intention of the OSCE to continue to work together to build Montenegro’s parliamentary capacity to deliver high-quality information services to parliamentarians for its citizens,” said Corrigan.

Both through the Democratization and the Programme for Security Co-operation and Governance, the Mission will continue to support the parliament in its efforts to further strengthen the parliamentary services and its efficiency, as well as the work and the oversight role of the parliamentary committees.

Categories: Central Europe

Students learn about security sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina at OSCE-supported course

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 13:25
437009 Željka Šulc

More than 20 students of law, political, and security studies from universities in Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla and Zenica learnt about the security sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) at a five-day OSCE-supported Youth and Security School, which concluded on 25 October 2019 in Sarajevo.

“The Youth and Security School is envisaged to complement the education of young persons from all over BiH and inspire their leadership in the area of security reform, since we recognize them as important partners in the process of this systemic and societal change“, said Susan Penksa, Head of the Department of Security Co-operation of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “The goal of the School is to introduce youth to the concept of good governance in the security sector, allow them to examine the security challenges of BiH and discuss possible solutions, while promoting the OSCE’s interdisciplinary approach to ensuring a safe, secure and stable society.“

The students visited the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Ministry of Security, the Armed Forces of BiH, as well as police agencies and media outlets. Meeting different government officials and security professionals helped the participants to gain knowledge about these institutions and gave them an insight into the complexity of the overall security system of BiH.

“We had an opportunity to learn about the practical work of institutions dealing with security and see how the system functions in practice. Now we have a more complete picture of the security challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina and how to combat them,” said Ajdin Zametica, a master studies student at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.  

The School is designed as an instrument of security and confidence-building measures as well as building trust in the security and defence institutions in BiH.

“We live in a rather complex country and the very exchange of opinions between students from universities from across BiH gave me an insight into what young people need, what they perceive as a problem in this country and what they would like to improve,” stated Ana Bašić, a student of master studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University in Mostar. “The school also opens possibilities for our future joint engagement and co-operation.”

This is the fifth Youth and Security School organized by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina in co-operation with the BiH Council of Ministers’ Inter-Ministerial Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of BiH Security Policy.  

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE PA Political and Security Affairs Committee Chair issues statement on the Open Skies Treaty

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 13:22

COPENHAGEN, 25 October 2019 – In response to reports that the current U.S. administration is considering withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty, a multilateral agreement establishing a system of unarmed observation flights over the territories of 34 State Parties, Filippo Lombardi, Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Political Affairs and Security, issued the following statement:

“It is with some concern that I have been following the news about a possible U.S. withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty. For many years, this treaty has provided a framework for greater openness and transparency in military activities and has substantially enhanced security through concrete confidence-building measures and co-operation. Not only is the treaty one of the signature achievements of the OSCE, it is indeed one of the most significant accomplishments of the post-Cold War era, providing a strong basis for transparency, accountability and co-operation in military affairs.

“In these times of heightened tensions between East and West, we need more confidence-building and security, not less. I strongly urge the United States to remain a party to the treaty and pursue any grievances it may have through established diplomatic channels, including the Open Skies Consultative Commission at the OSCE.”

In the OSCE PA’s Istanbul Declaration of 2013, the Assembly noted that the Open Skies Treaty is “a unique measure of confidence, openness and transparency.” The 2018 Berlin Declaration highlighted “the substantial contribution of the Open Skies Treaty as a confidence- and security-building measure aimed at promoting transparency, trust and predictability regarding military capabilities.”

For more information on the Open Skies Treaty, please visit the OSCE's website.
Categories: Central Europe

OSCE supports capacity building training of K-9 officers of law enforcement bodies in Kyrgyzstan

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 12:21
437048 Kunduz Rysbek

More than 25 canine officers (K-9) of the State Committee for National Security, Ministry of Interior and the State Customs Services (KSCS) completed OSCE-supported advanced train–the-trainers courses at the World Customs Organization’s Regional Training Centre in Bishkek from 7 to 25 October 2019.

These three-week training courses aimed at building the capacity of K-9 officers by providing an advanced theoretical knowledge and practical techniques for the detection of explosives, narcotic substances, currency, and animal derivatives that fall under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The K-9 teams were exposed to various scenarios whereby they had to find markers with pseudo bombs, illegal substances, currencies, and animal derivatives placed in cars, buildings, rail wagons, parking areas and other simulated zones at the Regional Training Centre premises. At the end of each week, the canine officers completed a written test and competition-based exercise.

The training courses were organized by the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.  

The KSCS Training Centre in Bishkek was recognized as a World Customs Organization’s Regional Training Centre in 2018 with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Since then, the Centre has been expanding its geographic coverage and enhancing the quality of the training courses for customs officers it provides in the OSCE region and beyond, contributing to regional co-operation.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE trains Mediterranean Points of Contact Network on gendered aspects of cross-border crimes

OSCE - Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:19
436799 Communication and Media Relations Section

Members of the OSCE Mediterranean Points of Contact (PoC) Network on Border Security and Management completed a three-day intensive training course on 24 October 2019 on two gendered aspects of transnational threats: terrorism and trafficking in human beings. The course was held at the premises of the International Co-operation Division of the Spanish National Police in Madrid.

Organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in close co-operation with the Spanish National Police (La Policia Nacional), the training course brought together 13 members of the PoC Network. The high-level participants represented the border and customs services of Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

The course was conducted by international experts on gender mainstreaming together with experts from the European Union Integrated Border Assistance Mission in Libya, the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the Spanish National Police, and the UN Mission to South Sudan as well as staff from the OSCE’s Border Security and Management Unit.

“Spain is very much concerned about the increased activities and cross-border travel of foreign terrorist fighters in the Mediterranean region as well as the increased number of trafficked persons, both men and women. Both challenges are among the main priorities of the Spanish Government and also of main importance in the Strategy of the National Police,” said Police Commissioner Alicia Malo, Deputy Head of the International Co-operation Division of the Spanish National Police, at the event’s opening.

During the training course, the participants engaged in discussions on the role of women in terrorism and violent extremism, and the push factors for both genders to participate in this crime. They also engaged in interactive exercises on harmful bias and stereotyping in this context. The Mediterranean PoC members shared their experience on returning foreign terrorist fighters at the borders and discussed the gendered aspects of this phenomenon.

The course introduced innovative gender-sensitive and human rights-compliant interviewing techniques at the borders. During an interactive session the participants analysed the gendered dynamics of human trafficking and how men and boys can be silent victims of this crime.

This training course was the seventh activity of a multi-year OSCE initiative aimed at strengthening co-operation mechanisms between the border security and management agencies of the OSCE participating States and the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 252/2019 issued on 24 October 2019

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 22:40
SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

  • Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
  • Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission continued to observe reconstruction works of the broken section of the bridge.
  • The SMM saw for the first time an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade and anti-tank mines close to a road near Verkhnoshyrokivske, anti-tank mines near Zaitseve and unexploded ordnance near Ridkodub.
  • The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
  • The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure along the contact line.
  • The Mission continued to face restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments in establishing and reporting the facts following reports of incidents at a hospital in non-government-controlled Horlivka.*
Categories: Central Europe

Co-operation with Mediterranean region is an objective necessity, says Albanian Foreign Minister Cakaj opening OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Tirana

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 19:03

TIRANA, 24 October 2019 – While Albania looks to Europe for its future, our history, geography and economy are rooted in the Mediterranean region, stated today in Tirana Albania’s Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Gent Cakaj, while opening 2019 OSCE Mediterranean Conference.

“We can make a difference within the Mediterranean Partnership only if we work together,” said Cakaj. “Our co-operation with the Mediterranean region is not a matter of choice anymore: it is an objective necessity.” 

During the two-day event dedicated to achievements, challenges and future opportunities for the OSCE Mediterranean Partnership, discussions focus on countering terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism; youth participation and engagement; and economic connectivity.   

“Security in Europe as a whole is inextricably linked to security in the Mediterranean area. The importance of this relationship is more than evident in the fields of trade, energy, migration and fight against terrorism,” said Cakaj. 

Cakaj stressed that co-operation with the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation is essential to better ensure a safe environment for our countries’ citizens and generating prosperity across our entire region. 

“This conviction has been governing the Mediterranean Contact Group throughout the past 25 years,” he said. “Albania’s goal this year, while chairing the Contact Group, and certainly during the 2020 Albanian OSCE Chairmanship, is to keep the Mediterranean high on the OSCE agenda and strengthen a strategic partnership with Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.” 

Cakaj said that the security of Europe and the Mediterranean requires smarter investments in the economy and human capital. “Generating economic growth and developing human resources is essential in making the Mediterranean region more prosperous. We will spare no effort in working towards this objective,” he said. 

Acting Foreign Minister Cakaj, Slovak State Secretary Lukas Parižek, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Italy Marina Sereni and Secretary General of the Union for Mediterranean Nasser Kamel opened the 2019 Mediterranean Conference. 

The second day of the conference will be dedicated to the role of connectivity, digitalization, sustainable development and economic growth in advancing common security in the Mediterranean. 

Acting Foreign Minister Cakaj and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger will give closing remarks tomorrow. 

Categories: Central Europe

Spot Report by OSCE Observer Mission: 86th Russian convoy of 16 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 16:36

This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 24 October at 06:47 (Moscow time), the eighty-sixth[1] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 16 vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All 16 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:00 on 24 October.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 24 October at 06:47, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The convoy consisted of 16 vehicles: one escort car and 15 cargo trucks, among them: two trucks belonged to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) other 13 were civilian trucks. Two cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation” (in Russian). At 06:47, the vehicles entered the customs control area. Once the convoy arrived, the vehicles were visually checked from the outside by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers. The truck drivers rolled up/opened the tarpaulins of the trucks and the border guards and customs officials performed a visual observation from the outside. Two dogs were present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside.

Two Ukrainian border guards and two customs officers were observed accompanying their Russian counterparts; they also performed a visual observation of the vehicles from the outside (without entering the trucks’ cargo space). They had clipboards in their hands and were taking notes. By 07:10, all of the vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine. During the crossing one Russian Federation border guard took photos of the procedure.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 13:40, the convoy returned and queued in the customs area. The Russian Federation border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. Ukrainian representatives – three border guards and three customs officers – were present during this check. The Ukrainian officials also performed visual checks of the trucks from the outside. Two dogs were present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside. By 14:00, all 16 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation. During the return of the convoy, one officer from the Ministry of Emergency Situations was present at the BCP taking photos of the procedure.

[1]Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the eighty-sixth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE supports roundtable discussion on access to information in Kazakhstan

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 13:49
Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

Some 45 participants from Parliament, Supreme Court, government bodies, civil society and media-related NGOs participated in a roundtable discussion on access to information on 24 October 2019 in Nur-Sultan. The event was jointly organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and the NGO Legal Media Centre.

The Legal Media Centre presented the findings of a  study on access to information in Kazakhstan, which was supported by the OSCE Programme Office. The participants  discussed what has changed since the recent adoption of  amendments to the country’s media law. They also examined procedures governing the release of official information held by different government agencies in Kazakhstan and analysed government bodies' publication of responses to official information requests.

An expert from the Lithuanian Union of Journalists shared experiences on how  information is made available either proactively or in response to requests and introduced some procedures governing its release in other countries.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s activities aimed at promoting media development and freedom of expression in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE conducts training course on judicial ethics and professional conduct in Bosnia and Herzegovina

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 13:27
436820 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) conducted on 24 October 2019, in Sarajevo, a training course on ethical standards and disciplinary practice for judges, prosecutors and legal associates. The training was organized in co-operation with the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centre of the Federation of BiH.

The course focused on the substance of the codes of ethics for judges and prosecutors, in order to develop the participants’ understanding of the concepts and obligations related to the codes of ethics, and conflict of interest.

“The role of ethics and the high standard of behaviour that is demanded of judicial office holders cannot be overemphasized,” stated Meriton Pajaziti, Legal Advisor at the OSCE Mission to BiH. “Given the damaging impact that non-adherence to these standards can have, the OSCE Mission to BiH is working together with the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel to address this pernicious threat. This is done through promoting adherence to the codes of ethics among judges and prosecutors.”

Mirza Hadžiomerović, Deputy Chief Disciplinary Counsel, stressed the importance of strengthening the theoretical and practical knowledge of judges and prosecutors in facing ethical challenges while performing their duties. „The Office of the Disciplinary Counsel is grateful to international partners, including the OSCE Mission to BiH, for acknowledging the importance of this training course and for their support in organizing it,“ he added.

Participants also had the opportunity to learn about practical examples of violations of judicial ethics and professional conduct that were subject to disciplinary procedure by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel of the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.    

Categories: Central Europe

President Tsereteli and SG Montella meet European Parliament officials, highlight importance of OSCE-EU relations and parliamentary diplomacy

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 11:17

STRASBOURG, 24 October 2019 – OSCE PA President George Tsereteli and Secretary General Roberto Montella met yesterday in Strasbourg with Klara Dobrev, Vice President of the European Parliament, and Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister, to discuss OSCE-EU relations as well as common challenges of the European continent. They agreed on the need to enhance co-operation between the OSCE PA and the European Parliament and invest more on joint projects, including on election observation and conflict prevention efforts.

“The European Union and the OSCE share the same values and in times of uncertainty it is critical that we unite our efforts to bring institutions closer to our citizens and citizens closer to institutions,” President Tsereteli said. Noting that all EU Member States are also OSCE participating States, Tsereteli emphasized the importance of the organizations working together to deepen co-operation to address common security challenges.

Vice President Dobrev expressed appreciation for the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in promoting dialogue and co-operation on security at all levels of society. Other topics of discussion included the political and security situations in Ukraine, Georgia and South-Eastern Europe.

The OSCE PA delegation held a productive meeting with Chairman McAllister, discussing challenges in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Turkish military operations in Syria. The sides also discussed ways to enhance the fruitful co-operation between the European Parliament and OSCE PA on election observation. McAllister invited Tsereteli to address the EP Foreign Affairs Committee and in turn Tsereteli invited him to take part in an upcoming OSCE PA statutory meeting.

During a discussion on EU enlargement, the OSCE PA delegation expressed concern over the recent decision of the European Council to postpone the start of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. “I hope that despite this decision the European Union will maintain its promise to work towards the integration of the whole South East Europe and grant to those countries the European future they are pursuing,” Secretary General Montella said.

President Tsereteli and Secretary General Montella were also invited to take part in the European Parliament’s plenary session seating. On the margins, they held useful meetings with a number of MEPs from across the region and also met with former members of the OSCE PA leadership, including now Commissioner Christos Stylianides and MEPs Isabel Santos, Ignacio Sanchez Amor, Tonino Picula and Roman Haider.

Their visit to Strasbourg will continue today and tomorrow with the participation in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, hosted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where President Tsereteli will address the session on “Our common European home, the next 70 years.”
Categories: Central Europe

International and regional co-operation key to tackling the complex security threats of today agree OSCE leaders

OSCE - Thu, 10/24/2019 - 10:23

WASHINGTON D.C., 24 October 2019 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger discussed yesterday the role of international organizations and regional co-operation in preventing conflicts at an event moderated by Baroness Catherine Ashton of Upholland, Chair of the Global Europe Program of the Wilson Center and former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Asked by Baroness Ashton about the current state of international organizations, OSCE Chairperson Lajčák stressed that different organizations have unique features and expertise: “I am optimistic when it comes to effective multilateralism, as our organizations – international and regional alike – complement, rather than duplicate, each other. But there is always room for more synergy.” “Currently the potential of multilateral institutions is not fully capitalized and more political buy-in is needed.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger added that the OSCE has an effective toolbox for conflict prevention and resolution, but urged participating States to use it more systematically, particularly its inclusive platform for dialogue to help bridge the differences.

Making the case for conflict prevention, OSCE Chair Lajčák stressed that it makes sense"both financially and for our people". “The trend over the last couple of years is towards investing more into conflict prevention. In the past, international organizations intervened when there was no peace left to keep. But conflicts do not happen overnight. You can see the warning signals flashing ahead of time and we need to do more to tackle the root causes of conflict in an inclusive way. And this means doing more to ensure women’s leadership and participation, and including the voices of youth and local populations in everything we do.”

The Secretary General pointed to the OSCE’s success in conflict management, notably in Ukraine; in promoting inclusive dialogue, including in the politico-military sector; and in helping states to deal with transnational threats and to become more resilient to the root causes of conflict.

All three agreed that with the speed and scale of the challenges facing governments and people today - from transnational threats, to eroding arms control, climate change and rapid technological progress – multilateral conflict prevention and international co-operation are ever more important.

While in Washington D.C., the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker, and representatives of the international community.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 251/2019 issued on 23 October 2019

OSCE - Wed, 10/23/2019 - 20:16
SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

  • Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
  • Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM continued to observe reconstruction works of the broken section of the bridge.
  • The Mission continued to observe the clearing of vegetation inside the disengagement area near Zolote. It saw military presence inside the disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote.
  • The SMM saw for the first time anti-tank mines near Styla.
  • The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government- and non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
  • The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure along the contact line.
  • Restrictions of the Mission’s freedom of movement continued, including at a border crossing point near and a railway station in non-government-controlled Voznesenivka.*
Categories: Central Europe

Strengthening national responses and regional co-operation: National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs from across the OSCE region meet in Bratislava

OSCE - Wed, 10/23/2019 - 13:52
436766 Communication and Media Relations Section

National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs from 42 countries across the OSCE region gathered in Bratislava on 22 and 23 October 2019 for the largest annual meeting of this kind at the international level. They discussed how to address current human trafficking-related challenges and foster the implementation of international commitments, policies and standards set forth by the OSCE and the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The discussion was organized by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe, and hosted by the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship.

“In the spirit of co-operation, this meeting offers a unique regional platform to strengthen our cross-border collaboration and build meaningful partnerships,” said Lukáš Parízek, State Secretary at Slovakia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship. “This resonates very well with our priorities at the OSCE as we seek to keep up with the reality of an increasingly interconnected world, while facing multiple global threats to the safety and security of our people.”

Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, said: “National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs play a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the national anti-trafficking responses, and this week we identified new opportunities for enhancing regional policies and practical actions to combat this scourge.”

Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, added: “Regular exchanges between National Anti-trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs of States Parties to the Convention are vital for promoting the implementation of this document, sharing information on new trends and approaches, and strengthening partnerships.”

On the first day of the meeting, participants discussed ways to enhance the protection of child victims of trafficking by means of needs-based assistance in the child’s best interests and identified measures to reduce the demand that leads to human trafficking for different exploitative purposes, including labour exploitation. The European Union’s Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator Myria Vassiliadou later addressed participants, while experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights led a discussion on the update of the National Referral Mechanism Handbook.

On the second day, participants discussed the role of the National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs in engaging civil society in anti-trafficking policy-making, prevention efforts, identifying and assisting victims of trafficking, as well as supporting victims in the course of criminal and other proceedings. Later there was a presentation on the policy recommendations by the UN’s Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, which is currently co-chaired by the OSCE and UN Women.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Representative Désir strongly condemns jailing of Donetsk journalist Aseev, reiterates call for immediate release of all journalists in region

OSCE - Tue, 10/22/2019 - 18:01

VIENNA, 22 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today strongly condemned the imprisonment of Ukrainian journalist, writer and blogger Stanislav Aseev, who goes by the pen name Vasin.

According to reports of the so-called “General Prosecutor’s Office of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)”, in August Aseev received a 15-year prison sentence on charges of extremism, espionage and public calls for an encroachment on the “DPR’s” territorial integrity.

“I strongly denounce the imprisonment of Stanislav Aseev and I am shocked by his completely illegal conviction and sentencing to 15 years in jail. I reiterate that he must be released immediately,” Désir said.

Aseev has been a contributor to various media, including the Ukrainian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). He has been held in detention by the armed formations in the non-government-controlled area of the Donetsk region on spurious charges of espionage for Ukraine since June 2017.

The Representative further called for the release of another blogger and contributor to the Ukrainian Service of RFE/RL, Oleh Halaziuk, who has also been detained by the armed formations in the non-government-controlled area of the Donetsk region since August 2017.

“Aseev and Halaziuk were among the very few independent journalists who worked and reported from the non-government controlled area of Donetsk region. The silencing of independent journalists is a crime against the freedom of expression and it is unacceptable,” Désir said. “I again call on all OSCE participating States to increase pressure on any relevant actors to release both Aseev and Halaziuk.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, twitter @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

Categories: Central Europe

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 250/2019 issued on 22 October 2019

OSCE - Tue, 10/22/2019 - 17:14
SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

  • Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
  • The Mission saw damage from gunfire to residential properties in non-government-controlled Dokuchaievsk.
  • Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM continued to observe reconstruction works of the broken section of the bridge. It also observed construction works at a parking lot south of the bridge.
  • The Mission continued to observe the clearing of vegetation inside the disengagement area near Zolote. It recorded ceasefire violations near the disengagement area.
  • The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government- and non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
  • The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure along the contact line.
  • Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including at checkpoints near non-government-controlled Zaichenko, Bezimenne, Sosnivske and Shevchenko.
Categories: Central Europe

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