40 years Helsinki Final Act: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter acknowledges the founding document of the OSCE as a basis for dialogue on security in Europe in the future
Bern, 10.07.2015 - At the anniversary event to mark the signing of the Helsinki Final Act on 1 August 1975, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) paid tribute to its founding document in the Finnish capital. The principles on dialogue and shared understanding enshrined in the document created bridges between conflicting parties during the Cold War period. In view of the conflict in Ukraine and the crisis in European security, in his speech Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter called on the OSCE participating States to once again develop a shared understanding of the principles.
Today, 40 years after the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE founding document, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter paid tribute to the achievements of that time in the Finnish capital. "For the first time since 1815 representatives of all European countries sat down at the same table to discuss the future of their continent," he noted in his speech at the anniversary ceremony. The Helsinki Final Act, he said, stood for a common European rulebook and for bridges that have spanned the continent for four decades. He went on to point out that, in this document, for the first time ever respect for human rights was identified as a precondition for international security.
40 years later, he said, we are seeing a decline in trust and a strategic estrangement on major aspects of security. The Ukraine crisis has finally brought this broader crisis of European security to a head. For this reason, the commemoration of the signing of the Final Act 40 years ago was an opportunity to discuss ways of overcoming the Ukraine crisis and re-consolidating European security. "While there is no need for new rules," he declared, "we should conduct a dialogue on how to foster a common understanding of the Helsinki Principles." During the Ukraine crisis, he said, the OSCE had demonstrated its ability to conduct dialogue and build bridges even in conflict situations. The OSCE can and must be a decisive force for inclusive security in our continent to the benefit of the generations to come, he emphasised.
Troika meeting with President Niinistö of Finland
Following the anniversary ceremony in the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, where the Final Act was signed on 1 August 1975, Mr Burkhalter took part in a meeting of the OSCE Troika. The Troika supports the current OSCE Chairmanship. At today's meeting Mr Burkhalter discussed with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbian Foreign Minister, Ivica Dačić, and with the Special Representative of the German Federal Government for the OSCE Chairmanship in 2016, Gernot Erler, the situation in Ukraine and the OSCE's role regarding the crisis. He also spoke about the work of the Panel of Eminent Persons, a group of experts from the OSCE area that makes recommendations on strengthening the OSCE. The group aims to support the OSCE participating States in a comprehensive and constructive dialogue on security. In addition the Troika discussed possibilities to extend the OSCE's scope for action.
The members of the Troika were received by the Finnish President, Sauli Niinistö, for a courtesy visit. The subject of the talks at this meeting was the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West and possibilities for rebuilding security in Europe. Federal Councillor Burkhalter met President Niinistö in April 2014 when, in his capacity as President of the Swiss Confederation, he made a two-day state visit to Finland.
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