Switzerland assumes chairmanship of OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation
Bern, 16.01.2019 - From January to April 2019, Switzerland holds the chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC). The Forum’s Security Dialogues are an opportunity for the 57 OSCE member States to discuss issues of military security and stability in Europe. The Forum provides a platform for action to address issues such as the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
On 16 January 2019, the FDFA’s State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl travelled to Vienna for the first of a dozen meetings to be held over the next four months within the Forum for Security Co-operation. After an opening speech by Ms Baeriswyl, Switzerland’s permanent representative to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) officially took over to assume the chairmanship of the Forum. The FDFA has joined forces with the DDPS to organise the chairmanship. The Forum’s chairmanship changes every four months among the participating States in alphabetical order, with Switzerland taking over from Sweden.
Following its chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014, Switzerland now has an opportunity to actively bring in its interests within the politico-military dimension of the FSC. Against a backdrop of tensions and political blockades in the OSCE region, this chairmanship is a chance for Switzerland to build bridges. This will enable Switzerland to make a tangible contribution to the security policy dialogue, strengthening its role as honest broker and pragmatic OSCE participating State.
Switzerland will contribute in areas in which it has substantial expertise, including small arms, the regulation of private military and security companies, and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Its activities will be guided by the model of its OSCE chairmanship in 2014, which emphasized Creating a security community for the benefit of everyone.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
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CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
