Central Europe

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 442 ceasefire violations, including 44 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 71 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 178 ceasefire violations, including 78 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 22 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM corroborated reports of two civilian casualties in government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored areas near the border outside government control in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Lisne, near non-government-controlled Kovske and at checkpoints of the armed formations near Horlivka and Khreshchatytske (formerly Krasnoarmiiske), Donetsk region.*

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/PARIS, 7 December 2021 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, representing the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, express support for the resumption of direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.  The Co-Chair countries call on the sides to continue the dialogue between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan begun at meetings held in New York in September and Paris in November, as well as to continue contacts at the leadership level to promote a lasting and sustainable peace in the region.   

The Co-Chair countries call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions and to implement in full the commitments they undertook on 9 November 2020 and reconfirmed on 26 November 2021 in statements made by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and President of the Russian Federation and other jointly agreed ceasefire arrangements.  The Co-Chair countries call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue their engagement under Co-Chair auspices to make concrete progress on humanitarian issues — including, inter alia, detainees, demining, missing persons, voluntary return of displaced persons, and the protection of historic and cultural sites, and to work constructively to resolve other outstanding issues, such as border delimitation and demarcation and the restoration of economic and transportation links.  The Co-Chair countries also note with concern recent incidents on the non-demarcated Armenia-Azerbaijan border and reaffirm that the use or threat of force to resolve border disputes is unacceptable.  The Co-Chair countries also remind Armenia and Azerbaijan of their obligation to comply with the requirements of international humanitarian law and urge the sides to lift immediately all restrictions on international humanitarian organizations accessing conflict-affected areas and populations.  

The Co-Chair countries encourage the sides to welcome the Co-Chairs to the region as soon as possible to allow them to assess the situation on the ground first-hand, to make tangible progress in implementing humanitarian initiatives discussed at the meetings noted above, and to reach agreement on an agenda for future engagements.  They also reiterate their strong support for the continuing work of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair in Office (PRCiO) in the region and encourage the sides to cooperate fully with his efforts.   

The Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group reaffirm their commitment to working with the sides to find comprehensive solutions to all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with their mandate in order to promote a secure, stable, prosperous and peaceful future for the South Caucasus region. 

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 7 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region denied the SMM passage to government-controlled areas twice and once delayed its passage. These SMM patrols were travelling from non-government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:00, at the checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second denial occurred at 11:05, at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne. On the first occasion members of the armed formations cited a “lack of security guarantees”.

At 09:42, the passage of another SMM patrol travelling through the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge was delayed for about 33 minutes. Members of the armed formations cited a “lack of prior notification”.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021, 29/2021, 30/2021, 31/2021, 32/2021, 33/2021, 34/2021 and 35/2021.

The Mission again notes that such denials and delays not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

The OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

VIENNA, 7 December 2021 – OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid launched the OSCE Networking Platform on Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators.  Around 50 women leaders participated in the online event.

The platform connects active women mediators and peacebuilders in the OSCE region. It aims to increase their networking opportunities and strengthen their visibility and influence over formal and informal peace processes.  

“A leading role for women at the peacebuilding table is not a benefit, it is a necessity. They are half the population and peace processes cannot be successful without them. One of my top priorities as Secretary General is to support women change makers by promoting dialogue across groups and generations in the OSCE region,” declared Schmid.

At the launch event, participants from the region discussed the contributions of women to peace processes globally and what the OSCE can do to enhance women’s meaningful inclusion towards effective peacebuilding.

“This networking platform will provide safe spaces where women leaders, including peacebuilders and mediators, can share experiences and feel supported. Given the OSCE’s geographical reach, the Organization is well placed to provide these spaces to enhance women’s participation and influence in peace processes at all levels,” the Secretary General said.

She further announced that one of the first activities of the platform would be a pilot mentorship programme aimed at strengthening the capacity women who are engaged in peacebuilding and mediation in the OSCE region.

Secretary General Schmid is part of the International Gender Champion’s network, part of which involves making public personal commitments to advance gender equality. Actively supporting women change makers is one of her commitments.

Marina Živaljević

In close co-operation with parliament’s Gender Equality Committee, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a training course for MPs and parliamentary staff on gender responsive budgeting, on 29 and 30 November 2021.

Gender experts Slavica Striković and Marija Risteska led the workshop, held in blended format, focusing on budget literacy and structure, budget processes and tools for gender responsive budgeting.

Through practical exercises, participants examined whether a given budget is gender sensitive and how it should address the different needs of men and women. Participants agreed that a continuous training process is important to acquire a sound understanding of this topic and could enhance efficiency in monitoring the application of gender responsive budgeting throughout the entire budget cycle.

Expert Slavica Striković said that it is very important for Parliament to recognize the potential and capacities of parliamentary staff and to support their eagerness for learning and sharing their knowledge.

Expert Marija Risteska said that Parliament has a crucial role in incorporating gender perspectives into the budgetary process. “Through each phase of the budget process, Parliament could have an active role deciding on how public finances are allocated in order to meet the different needs of women and men. Its role is essential for fairer management of public finances,” said Risteska. She added that Parliament should conduct its own gender analysis, apply measures and set gender goals for its work, promoting gender responsive budgeting through its work.

The Mission will continue to support the Gender Equality Committee in its efforts to ensure that gender equality and gender responsive budgeting have a well-deserved place on the agenda of the Parliament of Montenegro.                                                                   

507116

The Prosecutor’s Office of Bulgaria is the new host of the Secretariat of the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors. The decision was reached on 6 December at the seventh network meeting, organized with the support of the OSCE. Bulgaria will take over the role from the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime of Serbia.

Over the past five years, this regional co-operation platform has been instrumental in enhancing regional co-operation and informal exchange of information in fighting organized crime and corruption. The network continued to be operational despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and has ensured continuity of its activities using an adapted online format.

While the network has expanded during the years and currently includes prosecutor’s offices from twelve countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia), further expansion remains very high on its agenda.

Denise Mazzolani, Acting Head of the OSCE’s Strategic Police Matters Unit, and Iris Pilika, Programme Officer, Economic Co-operation and Governance, reiterated the OSCE’s continued support to the network and its mission to enhance informal cross-border co-operation in criminal matters. The establishment of the network is based on provisions provided by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

OSCE supports the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors in the framework of the regional project “Strengthening the fight against transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use”, jointly implemented by the Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The project is financially supported by the United States, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

507089 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a roundtable discussion on the analysis of strategic documents concerning the media sector in Tajikistan. The discussion was organized jointly with Public Organization Khoma and took place in Dushanbe on 2 December 2021.

Some 35 civil society representatives, government officials, media community attended the event.

Based on a detailed analysis of the content of the main documents on media issues, the working group outlined the main problems, the solution of which will ensure higher rates of development of the media sphere and the achievement of strategic goals of national development in this direction

Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe said: “We are confident that the results of the working group's work will become a significant support for the further development of the media in the country, and serve as an important mechanism for state information policy and the information security of society. The OSCE will always support Tajikistan's efforts to develop the media in the country and ensure free access to information.”

“Some concepts and outline documents require revision, which is natural. In this regard, the NGO Khoma conducted an analysis of strategic documents on media development in the Republic of Tajikistan, which was welcomed by us,” said Fattohzoda Saidmurod Samad, Chairperson of the Committee on International Affairs, Public Associations and Information of Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli (the Lower Chamber of Tajikistan’s Parliament). “As part of this initiative, a number of strategic documents aimed at media development in Tajikistan were studied. We are convinced that this analysis and training will contribute to the development of the country's media system, ensure information security, and develop healthy and competitive relations in this important sector of the country's economy,” concluded Fattohzoda.

507101

“What can each of us offer to others to build a community of practice in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT)?” This question gave direction to a series of three, three-day cross-regional seminars for certified facilitators of the OSCE’s Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) capacity-building initiative, organized by the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.

The seminars took place between 16 November and 8 December 2021. Over 50 graduates of train-the-trainer courses for LIVE facilitators from South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia attended the seminars. Participants shared their experiences and ideas for establishing a community of practice to support their future training delivery, expanding their relevant cross-regional networks in the process.

Participants took stock of lessons learnt and good practices in applying their facilitation skills and implementing prevention activities since completing the train-the-trainer course, inspiring and supporting one another. To set the tone for ongoing peer exchange, selected participants talked at length about their local delivery of LIVE trainings and shared lessons learned from the implementation of prevention initiatives by members of local communities whom they trained.

“The local level work of civil society actors in building community resilience is vital to preventing the spread of violent extremism.  However, they cannot work in isolation and without support and resources.   Linking practitioners together by creating meaningful spaces - in person and online - for sharing, learning and connecting is necessary to ensure long term impact of P/CVERLT programs,” said Georgia Holmer, Head of Action against Terrorism Unit.  “Bringing front-line practitioners, who focus on promoting tolerance and inclusion, together across national and regional boundaries is one of the most powerful steps towards building peace,” she added.   

The cross-regional seminars provided participants with opportunities to deepen their relevant knowledge and facilitation skills through tailored sessions with expert trainers of the LIVE train-the-trainer courses. The seminar topics, selected together with the participants, included emerging trends in violent extremism, gender-sensitive prevention approaches, and the Do No Harm approach. The idea of the latter, being mindful of what bring people together and what divides them, different experiences and needs within a community when designing a prevention initiative, strongly resonated with the participants.

"Participants of our LIVE training sessions have seen a lot of potential in facilitators, materials and methodology. This will serve as a solid basis to continue building multi-stakeholder partnerships and apply conflict-sensitive approaches to the issues of violent extremism and radicalization to violence in different regions of Tajikistan,” shared LIVE facilitators Rukhshona Shobudinova and Maryam Davlatova.

With guest speakers from UN Women, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, participants had more in-depth discussions on the role of religion in preventing violent extremism, as well as practical tools for advocacy and fundraising as relevant to their local training participants.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 3 and 5 December, the SMM recorded 153 ceasefire violations, including 28 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 286 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 3 and 5 December, the Mission recorded 43 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 261 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage three times near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in eastern and southern Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

507011 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized a roundtable discussion on the harmonization of case law and judicial practice for senior judges in BiH, on 6 December 2021 in Sarajevo. The event was aimed at improving legal certainty and equality of citizens before the law. It was organized in co-operation with the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and the Council of Europe.

“The lack of harmonization of court practice and how laws are interpreted by different courts endangers the constitutional principles of legal certainty and equality of citizens before the law, and undermines public trust in the work of the judiciary,” said Michael Schuetz, Head of the OSCE Mission’s Rule of Law Section.

“We are glad that judges throughout the country recognize this issue and are committed to improving harmonization of case law and judicial practice.”

Following recommendations in the Venice Commission Opinion of 2012, in 2014 the HJPC established three harmonization panels, one for each of criminal, civil and administrative law areas. They consist of judges from the respective departments of the Court of BiH, the Supreme Court of the Federation of BiH, the Supreme Court of Republika Srpska, and the Appellate Court of Brčko District of BiH.

The Mission, under the auspices of the HJPC, has previously supported the work of the criminal law panel. Conclusions and recommendations from the roundtable discussion will help drive the future work of the panels in addition to contributing to other initiatives to improve the harmonization of case law and judicial practice in BiH.

507038

On 30 November 2021, the OSCE convened the first meeting of the Multi-Agency Committee in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established as part of its project Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe.

The OSCE project aims to enhance the capacities of criminal justice systems in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to prevent and combat gender-based violence and increase the public’s trust in criminal justice responses.

The Committee will ensure that the project activities comply with national strategies and other existing programmes and minimize duplication of efforts. The first meeting focused on the project’s strategy and its implementation in co-ordination with local stakeholders to tailor its activities to the needs of the countries.

Representatives of the OSCE Secretariat, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Center for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training of the Republika Srpska, the Center for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training of the Federation of BiH, Criminal Police Sector of FBiH, Brčko District Police and the Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska attended the meeting.

On 8 December 2021, the project team will conduct an online meeting with the remaining Committee members, representing the Prosecutor's Office of Brčko District, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Center for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training of FBiH, Police of Brčko District and the Basic Court in Bijeljina.

The project is currently being implemented with the financial support of Germany, Norway, Finland, and France, and will run until 2024.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 5 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region twice denied the SMM passage to non-government-controlled areas. Both SMM patrols were travelling from government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:40, at about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second occurred at 10:50, at the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. On the first occasion, members of the armed formations cited a “lack of security guarantees” and a “lack of permission from those in control” on the second.

Additionally, earlier in the morning, at 09:27, at a checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, two members of the armed formations denied another SMM patrol passage inside the disengagement area, citing a “lack of security guarantees” and “orders from their superiors”. The patrol was to assist the SMM patrol crossing to non-government-controlled areas mentioned above.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021, 29/2021, 30/2021, 31/2021, 32/2021, 33/2021 and 34/2021.

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

The OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 286 ceasefire violations, including 131 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 809 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 261 ceasefire violations, including 128 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 69 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage towards government-controlled areas near Zolote and Molodizhne and delayed its passage near Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside and near the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske and spotted people inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM heard and recorded ceasefire violations close to civilian infrastructure in and near Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The Mission saw two convoys crossing between government and non-government-controlled areas near Olenivka.
• The SMM observed three military-type trucks in border areas outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations and at a hospital in Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles encountered instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming and jamming.*

STOCKHOLM, 4 December 2021 – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Andrew Schofer of the United States of America, Igor Khovaev of the Russian Federation, and Brice Roquefeuil of France) released the following statement today: 

The Co-Chairs met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on 1 December and with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jehun Bayramov on 2 December on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm. The Co-Chairs also met incoming OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (PRCiO) Andrzej Kasprzyk participated in the meetings.     

The Co-Chairs regret that it was not possible to hold a joint meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan under their auspices in Stockholm. They express their readiness to host such a meeting as soon as circumstances allow to continue discussions begun in New York in September and in Paris in November.   

506657 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

The OSCE has played a vital role in preventing conflict and responding to crises over the last decade, but further steps must be taken to strengthen and make better use of the OSCE’s unique toolbox in relation to early warning, early action, dialogue facilitation, mediation support and post-conflict rehabilitation.

This was the main message to come from an event held on 3 December 2021 on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm to mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Ministerial Council Decision on "Elements of the Conflict Cycle".

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said in her opening remarks that this Ministerial Council Decision was an innovative and forward-looking decision and that “our work over the last decade demonstrates the Secretariat’s commitment to its implementation”. Pointing to early warning as an essential part of conflict prevention, the Secretary General stressed that “looking forward, we must ensure our conflict cycle instruments remain robust and adequate to tackle contemporary security challenges”.

Moderated by Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the event featured contributions from Audronius Ažubalis, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister and the 2011 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office; former OSCE Secretaries General Lamberto Zannier and Thomas Greminger; former CPC Directors Adam Kobieracki and Marcel Pesko; as well as Annika Söder, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus. These high-level speakers shared their views on how best to make full use of existing instruments to address the different phases of the conflict cycle.

Since the adoption of the "Elements of the Conflict Cycle" Decision, much effort has been put into improving the OSCE’s conflict cycle toolbox. Most recently, the first OSCE Peacebuilding Course was organized in September 2021. Notably, efforts to gender-mainstream conflict cycle instruments are a key component of the OSCE’s work, as demonstrated by the creation of the 2019 toolkit on ‘Inclusion of Women and Effective Peace Processes’.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 809 ceasefire violations, including 146 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 159 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 69 ceasefire violations, including nine explosions, the majority of which were assessed as a live-fire training exercise outside the security zone. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 22 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on two occasions near non-government-controlled Shyroka Balka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of recent damage to a working school and civilian properties in Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Donetskyi and Zolote-4/Rodina, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited a border crossing point outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in east Kherson region.
• The Mission observed a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at four checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region and at a compound in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region. Its UAVs encountered instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming and jamming.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 3 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region denied the SMM passage to government-controlled areas twice and once significantly delayed its passage. SMM patrols were travelling from non-government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:07 at the checkpoint of the armed formations near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk). The second occurred at 11:02 at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk). On the first occasion members of the armed formations cited “the SMM’s safety”, and on the second - “orders from superiors”.

The passage of another SMM patrol travelling through the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk) was delayed due to an armed formations’ request to comply with an inspection of luggage. The Mission refused the request and was allowed to pass only after two hours of waiting.

For recent restrictions faced by the SMM when crossing the contact line, see SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021, 29/2021, 30/2021, 31/2021, 32/2021 and 33/2021.

The Mission again notes that such denials and delays not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

The OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

STOCKHOLM, 3 December 2021 – For the first time, the OSCE participating States have agreed on how to work together to deal with the challenges caused by climate change.

“This is truly ground-breaking. Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and we all need to do our share. The OSCE, as the world’s largest regional security organization, has an important part to play in finding preventing and mitigating measures that can make a difference for the security of the people in the OSCE region,” Chairperson-in-Office Ann Linde said.

She also welcomed the adoption of the Ministerial Statement on the Negotiations on the Transdniestrian Settlement Process in the “5+2” format.

“This week we have also taken a historic decision when we agreed that Finland will chair the OSCE in 2025, 50 years after the Helsinki Final Act. I am proud that this decision has been taken under our period as Chair”, she added.

Summing up, Chairperson Linde, said she was satisfied with the outcome, with approximately 50 Foreign Ministers and several other high-level delegates participating in the Stockholm meeting. She stressed that the participation “shows the commitment to this organization that we, the participating States share and the importance we attach to it”, and expressed her gratitude towards all those who had engaged in important dialogue and all others who had worked hard with the successful 28th Ministerial Council. 

Linde underlined that the Swedish Chairpersonship had defended and upheld the common principles and commitments of the OSCE throughout the year and engaged in intense dialogue and used the diplomatic tools available to respond to crises, tensions and conflicts.

“We are very proud that we have held gender equality and women, peace and security high on the organization’s agenda. We have concretely shown how these issues can be integrated into the everyday work of the organization, for example during meetings and official travel of the Chairpersonship. I feel confident that this focus has left a firm platform for the incoming Chair to stand on in the organization’s continued efforts to ensure the OSCE remains a relevant player for our security. We welcome the Polish incoming Chair and we will be there in the Troika to support them in whatever way we can”, she said.

Incoming OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau said: “I would like to thank the Swedish CiO for their leadership which combined commitment to the OSCE principles and values with the innovative elements of the agenda, together with efforts to make OSCE more visible. In four weeks Poland will start its Chairmanship in the OSCE, with determination to reinforce engagement within the Organization and support all efforts for transnational security and stability.”

He added: “We are aware of the scale of tasks that await us in the year 2022. What we cannot predict at the moment is the exact scale of the challenges that we will face. However, I am convinced that in December next year we will meet again with the feeling of fulfilment and participation in a meaningful chapter of the OSCE’s history. We look forward to presenting the Polish Chairmanship programme in January in Vienna.”

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid added: "I take real positives from this Ministerial Council. Firstly, many Ministers agreed on the pressing need to mitigate the risks to our region stemming from the dire situation in Afghanistan and we will bring forward proposals to them on how the OSCE can do so. Secondly, the adoption of the new Ministerial Decision on climate change brings new momentum to the OSCE's work in this area. Climate change is a threat multiplier and the OSCE is committed to advancing our work on joint responses to strengthen climate resilience.”

Schmid also welcomed the incoming Polish Chairperson-in-Office, stating that he could expect the full support of the OSCE Secretariat during its Chairpersonship.

506699

By increasing democratic civilian control, respecting the rule of law, upholding human rights and integrating a real role for women, good security sector governance helps build the population’s trust and provides stability by significantly contributing to conflict prevention.

An updated second edition of the Guidelines on Security Sector Governance and Reform for OSCE staff was unveiled on 3 December 2021, at a side event held at the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm, Sweden.

“This new edition of the Guidelines will ensure that OSCE assistance to participating States is comprehensive, cross-dimensional, gender-sensitive and impact-oriented in support of the security needs of the whole population,” said Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre.

Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Pierre Von Arx, Head of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan provided practical examples of the OSCE’s assistance. Von Arx highlighted the Project Co-ordinator’s work on strengthening parliamentary financial oversight and underlined that all support is implemented with full respect for national ownership.

Ambassador Radomir Boháč, Permanent Representative of Slovakia and Chair of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) in the OSCE added that: “Discussions on SSG/R clearly demonstrates how much the agenda has been evolving within the OSCE in these past years. 46 participating States signing up to this year’s Group of Friends Statement is a clear sign of support and an important acknowledgement of the relevance that SSG/R has in the OSCE context.”

The Guidelines were first developed in 2016 and have been revised in the course of 2021 by the Conflict Prevention Centre, with input from SSG/R focal points across OSCE executive structures and with the support of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and the Swedish Agency for Peace Security and Development – Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA).

An updated training programme for OSCE staff will be introduced in 2022.

506669 Presentation by Bondo Bolkvadze, an expert from Georgia, during an OSCE-organized seminar on best practices in elaborating WTO-compliant national legislation, December 2, 2021. (OSCE) OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

OSCE best practices in improving national legislation to meet the World Trade Organizations’ (WTO) requirements were discussed during an online seminar organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on 2 and 3 December 2021.

The two-day event brought representatives from the Mejlis (lower chamber) of the Milli Gengesh (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, the country’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Finance and Economy, Agriculture and Environmental Protection as well as the State Customs Service, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other ministries and relevant bodies.

Two international experts from Georgia presented priorities for promoting international trade and reviewed WTO requirements. They discussed the removal of technical barriers to trade, tariff policy in agriculture and food, the determination of the customs value of goods, cotton trade and domestic support issues, border measures on intellectual property rights, and relevant WTO agreements, including on trade facilitation and on sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Referring to the OSCE Ministerial Council decision on "Strengthening Good Governance and Promoting Connectivity”, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat said: “This OSCE commitment gave a new impetus to the Organization's work on promoting economic co-operation, including through providing support in the integration of economies into the international economic and financial system, above all through accession to the World Trade Organization”.

He added that, over the past five years, the OSCE has significantly intensified its activities in the area of trade facilitation and promotion of the principles of uninterrupted and secure transport and transit.

This event marks the continuation of the OSCE Centre's co-operation with the government of Turkmenistan in the area of trade and transport sector development.