11.07.2017

Speech by the Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter at the Plenary session of the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE)(Plenary session) - Check against delivery

Speaker: Didier Burkhalter; Burkhalter Didier

Mr Chairman
Dear friends and colleagues

We are gathering here at a time when European security is marked by ongoing tensions and growing uncertainty.
Switzerland considers the OSCE our best chance to address this crisis of European security and promote enhanced security for all. The OSCE is a priority for us, and we are ready to continue to take our share of responsibility for this organisation.

The OSCE has demonstrated its value and great potential. As a platform for inclusive dialogue and common action, the OSCE has helped de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. Yet, we have also seen that the OSCE is at persistent risk of paralysis as a result of divisions among participating States.

Switzerland therefore calls upon you all to help strengthen the spirit of compromise that has made the OSCE relevant and strong.

We would like to thank the Austrian chairmanship for its commitment to political dialogue in the framework of the OSCE. We particularly welcome that we will have the opportunity for a first stocktaking of the Structured Dialogue later on. Meetings like today in Mauerbach are vital to provide political impetus to the OSCE.

Enabling progress on resolving the Ukraine crisis must remain a priority of the OSCE. I recently visited the SMM in Mariupol. The SMM has become a symbol for the OSCE’s capacity to make a real difference on the ground. Yet, the tragic death of an SMM patrol member on 23 April – as well as the widespread suffering of the people in the conflict zone – indicates how precarious the situation is. It is crucial that all sides re-commit to the protection and freedom of movement of the Mission; and that participating States continue to provide it with the necessary resources, qualified staff, and political backing. Switzerland also calls upon the parties to the conflict to finally withdraw all heavy weapons. This would reduce the number of casualties and protect the lives of civilians.

In the cyber domain, the 16 OSCE confidence-building measures appear ever more important in light of the recent inability to adopt a consensus report on cyber security by the respective expert group in the UN. We now need to implement these CBMs in a meaningful way. Together with Germany, Switzerland has proposed to develop a standardized consultation mechanism in the OSCE for severe cyber incidents. Such a mechanism would help reduce the risk of misperception and protect critical national infrastructures.

Building confidence should also become a priority in the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE. We commend the Chairmanship’s efforts to address this issue. We need both small practical steps to overcome economic barriers and more high-level dialogue on the economic dimension of security.

This topic could be taken up at the Economic and Environmental Forum as well as at the Ministerial Council in Vienna.

As for the human dimension, our focus must be on re-creating consensus in order to increase security and respect for human rights for all.  Switzerland is committed to supporting the respective efforts of the Austrian Chair.

Promoting human rights is also important when addressing violent extremism. Switzerland has identified the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) as a foreign policy priority and welcomes that the OSCE has taken up this issue. We should address the causes of violent extremism by applying a broad spectrum of development and human security tools to provide people with better prospects. With its comprehensive security model and broad field presence, the OSCE is well placed to contribute to PVE. Working with young people on PVE is a particularly promising OSCE avenue that should be continued.

Dear colleagues
Supporting and enabling the OSCE as an anchor of security in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region continues to be a priority of Swiss foreign policy. We remain committed to inclusive dialogue and common action – to more security for all.


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