Ukraine Stresses Importance of Shared Values and Vows to Revive
European Arms Control Efforts as Chair of OSCE
DUBLIN, December 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Ukraine is looking towards a
successful chairmanship of the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE),
given its geo-strategic position and understanding of key issues
concerning the West and East, ranging from regional stability and
energy security to terrorist threats and drug trafficking.
"As a country, which was part of the Soviet Union and is now embracing European
integration, we are uniquely positioned to act as a bridge between
the West and the East," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Kostyantyn Gryshchenko at the 19th
OSCE Ministerial Council.
Ukraine takes over the rotating
chair of the OSCE in January from Ireland, with the objective to strengthen the
organization.
In particular, it intends to begin arms control efforts free
from "post-cold war approaches."
"I would like to reiterate the Ukrainian proposal to initiate a
new dialogue within the OSCE aimed at elaborating fundamental
principles of a future European conventional arms control,"
Gryshchenko said, adding, "it should be free from still existing
post-cold war approaches to the arms control."
Ukraine will further use its
experience gained from negotiating the Transdniestrian conflict in
neighbouring Moldova to facilitate
the settlement of protracted conflicts in the OSCE area and bring a
cooperative approach to the OSCE.
Ukraine was party to a
breakthrough just last month on the resumption of rail services in
the disputed territory.
"Ukraine welcomes the progress
achieved by Chisinau and Tiraspol
in resolving pressing issues of cooperation in economic and
humanitarian spheres," Gryshchenko said in Dublin. "We hope that the positive dynamics of
the negotiations will sustain momentum."
Gryshchenko further noted that particular importance has to be
paid to the key issue of energy and the challenges it poses to
security. On this count too, Ukraine brings valuable experience as it lies
between the gas markets of Europe
and the increasingly dominant supplier, Russia.
Kyiv sees its future in the
European Union, having this year initialed an Association
Agreement, the first step towards EU membership. But it also has an
active dialogue with Russia, which
is increasingly flexing its muscles with its former Soviet
neighbours.
Gryshchenko further vowed to build upon the OSCE's advancements
in human rights and democracy. "We have identified the fight
against human trafficking, media freedom, freedom of movement,
youth education on the principles of tolerance and
non-discrimination and gender equality as key areas on which the
incoming Chairmanship will focus next year," he said.
From its Euro-focused beginnings, the OSCE has expanded to
include 57 participating states from the Northern hemisphere and
partners for cooperation from around the world. The Chairmanship is
given to a country by consensus decision. Nations hold the
revolving chair for a year, with Gryshchenko taking over from
Ireland's Eamon Gilmore.
SOURCE Ukraine Monitor