„Responding to European uncertainties with a strong OSCE for dialogue and common action“

Bern, 08.12.2016 - Hamburg, 08.12.2016: Address by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter at the OSCE Ministerial Council – Check against delivery

Mr Chairman
Dear friends and colleagues
Ladies and gentlemen

Switzerland is grateful to Germany for the skilful chairing of the OSCE and for hosting us here in Hamburg.

Since we met last year, European security has further deteriorated. Political uncertainties have grown. This makes a strong OSCE for dialogue and common action all the more important. Switzerland calls upon its fellow participating States to enable the OSCE to bolster cooperative security for the benefit of all.

Regarding Ukraine, there has been little political progress.  Despite the commendable efforts of the Normandy format, the Trilateral Contact Group and its working groups, the Minsk arrangements have not been implemented. The Special Monitoring Mission remains essential to prevent a new escalation and continues to do a tremendous job. It deserves continued political backing, adequate financial support and skilled personnel.

Since its chairmanship two years ago, Switzerland has made the case for addressing the conflict in Ukraine and the broader crisis of European security in parallel. Events in 2016 have reinforced our view: We need a structured and inclusive dialogue on core issues of European security. We also support the idea of a specific dialogue on conventional arms control in Europe.

And we call for more informal high-level dialogue like the one held in Potsdam. This is the only way to create tangible results and achieve more security.

In addition, we need to enhance the OSCE’s capacity to act, and we need to do this across all three dimensions.

In the first dimension, it is imperative that the Vienna Document is updated and modernised.

In the second dimension, we should look more closely into how to use economic issues to build confidence. We thank the German chair for refining the concept of “economic connectivity” as a useful tool in this regard. We remain committed to working with the incoming Austrian chairmanship on this. 

In the third dimension, waning respect for human rights and narrowing space for civil society in many countries are undermining our common security. Switzerland calls on all participating States to engage constructively in negotiations on ministerial decisions in this field. I wish to mention specifically the decision on the prevention of torture. OSCE participating States have repeatedly committed to the eradication of torture. Yet, much still needs to be done to live up to this commitment in practice.

There has been welcome progress in the OSCE’s responses to transnational threats such as cyber challenges and terrorism. We propose further efforts on preventing violent extremism, including work with young people, which should be a priority issue.   

We also welcome the OSCE’s efforts to address the migration crisis.  We should make maximal use of the OSCE’s assets: its cross-dimensional approach, its field missions, and its convening power, including with Mediterranean and Asian partners. Close coordination with global initiatives is vital, especially with the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular migration to be adopted in 2018 (a process co-facilitated by Mexico and Switzerland).

Finally, strengthening the OSCE requires bolstering its capabilities to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts.  One priority here should be more mediation capacity. But we should assess the OSCE’s toolbox in the conflict cycle more broadly. A review of OSCE peace operations could help us adapt the organisation to today’s challenges. 

I conclude by expressing our gratitude to the Secretary-General and all the OSCE staff, and by extending Switzerland’s good wishes to the incoming Chair, Austria. My country remains committed to a strong OSCE and to effective cooperative security across the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions.


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