YouSaid · the spoken record

Burkhalter

lines on the record: 43
first: 2014-02-24
most recent: 2015-09-30
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We are concerned about the apparent lack of coordination among various military actions in Syria, and we ask the Security Council to assume its responsibility in leading the efforts to oppose terrorism and re-establish peace and security in Syria. We also welcome the announcement by the Secretary-General on the presentation this year on a plan of action to prevent violent extremism. Military force and coercive measures to enforce the law are not enough to eliminate terrorism. We must also ensure that young people are able to resist the demagoguery of the terrorists, and for that we must to combine peace and security measures, development measures and human rights measures. In other words, we must mobilize all the strengths of the United Nations.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“An inclusive dialogue and power-sharing are not only vital for Syria, but also for stabilizing Iraq and resolving the conflicts in Yemen and Libya. My country, Switzerland, with its multiparty Government, is willing to offer its expertise. We are prepared to facilitate discussions in Geneva, should that be appropriate, and to support the efforts of the United Nations. With regard to the fight against the terrorist threat in the Middle East and North Africa, terrorist groups such as the so-called Islamic State cannot be part of a political solution. However, resolving those conflicts will weaken terrorist groups. And again, a key role in that regard falls to the United Nations.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Switzerland welcomes the strengthening of diplomatic efforts to find common ground. Now is the time to leave behind the maximalist positions and finally seek compromise. The only path that will lead to peace is that of an inclusive dialogue that includes the Syrian Government and which aims to define the parameters of a managed transition. That process will difficult, given the enormous sacrifices that will have to be made. The parties to the conflict will have to make difficult choices to find compromise. But the only way that a lasting solution can be achieved is if all parties work sincerely for peace. The millions of women, children and men who have suffered the atrocities of this war deserve such efforts and sincerity.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Switzerland supports the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy to encourage thematic discussions in the Syrian working groups established to address key aspects of the 2012 Geneva communique (S/2012/522, annex). From the beginning we have supported the United Nations efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis. We will continue along that path until peace is achieved, by providing experts, logistical support and financial resources as needed. We urge Syria to take advantage of thr opportunity to participate in the working groups. We also demand the rapid formation of an international contact group that would be responsible for supporting the search for a political solution. All regional and international actors share the same responsibility for stabilizing Syria. They must come to the table and discuss the issues.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Mr. Burkhalter (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, and the Russian presidency for having initiated this debate. Increasing instability and human suffering in the Middle East, massive refugee flows, the rise of transnational terrorism all call for a swift and determined response that includes not only additional humanitarian assistance but also, primarily, a political solution to the violent conflicts that have plunged the region into chaos. The impasses have lasted long enough - much too long, in fact - and Syria needs our help. A national dialogue should be initiated to begin to end the bloody war between the Damascus Government and the opposition.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“The last message I would like to send today is the fact that the chairmanship wants to work for and with the people, and above all for and with young people. We regard it as a key task of politics to provide good prospects for the generations to come, and we have high expectations of the 57 youth ambassadors of the model OSCE in negotiation of a youth action plan. Let me conclude by stating that Switzerland highly values the United Nations, we remain fully committed to the objectives of the United Nations and we are determined to support its efforts to advance peace and security, which are also the basis of the Swiss Constitution.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“I would like to thank all of the members of the Council for their constructive reactions to what I said about Ukraine, our proposal to establish an international contact grou, and our decisions to send a special envoy and core group for a needs assessment mission, and to prepare potential human rights and election observation missions, in case the Ukrainian authorities make such a request, as we hope they will. In addition to the measures on Ukraine I mentioned in my statement and have just recalled, based on the statements made today, I think that the involvement of another important OSCE institution 4 the High Commissioner on National Minorities - should be involved. The High Commission works with a conflict- prevention mandate and could help defuse tension in the eastern part of the country and in Crimea.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Furthermore, with regard to the capacity to act, 1 would like to recall our action on the ground - the fact that the OSCE is a field-based organization, and that is very important. The second message is the fact that the Swiss chairmanship is fully committed to strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE, as well as with other regional organizations. There is great potential in particular in the field of mediation support and training. The third message is that our chairmanship wants most seriously to build bridges between East and West.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“As for the final political messages I would like to send during today's meeting, there are four. First, I would like to say that, in our globalized world, there is greater need for regional organization for security. The conception of the OSCE is useful for the twenty- first century. What we need is the capacity to enhance confidence and to act. The OSCE has the capacity to enhance confidence because it is a platform for dialogue and acts as a common roof for the 57 participating States, meaning we can try to reduce lines of division in this area. In terms of our capacity for action, the OSCE brings a comprehensive security conception - a multidimensional approach that is so important today. It is a major asset that should even be exported to other regions.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“With regard to the issues I did not mention earlier that members brought up, I wish to say to Jordan, first of all, that we are fully aware of the Mediterranean partnership ofthe OSCE; indeed, we would like to make links between our priorities and that partnership. A concrete example is the issue of kidnapping for ransom: we will try, with the Mediterranean partnership, to make progress on that issue. To France, Chile and others, I would like to say that, although I did not mention the issues of conventional arms control and the modernization of the Vienna Document, they are very important to us. We must be realistic. We know that we will not be able to move forward very rapidly on such issues, but we do want to engage in dialogue on conventional arms control and want to modernize the Vienna Document.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“I think that, in general, it must be said that what we need to do is to reduce as much as possible the causes of extremism in countries of origin. Primarily, we must act to reduce as much as possible the fertile ground in which extremism can grow. In addition, we must also step up reintegration activities for such individuals. Specifically for the OSCE, that means doing every possible to promote cooperation among security services, the exchange of good practices, research and the fight against terrorism financing. (spoke in English) I would also like to respond positively to the Nigerian suggestion on the same issue of enhancing cooperation and coordination among regional organizations - such as between the OSCE and the African Union.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“I will not respond now to all the statements, but I would like to say that Council members should rest assured that we will integrate their points of view into our work as its progresses throughout our term in office. I want to focus briefly on some ofthe questions and make some remarks on some issues and priorities I did not touch upon during my statement earlier. I will then conclude with a political message I would like to send at the end of the meeting. There was in fact only one formal question, unless I am mistaken. (spoke in French) That question was from Luxembourg. I thank the representative of Luxembourg for her question. What contribution can the OSCE make in the fight against foreign fighters?”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Mr. Burkhalter: First of all, I would like to thank all of those who have tried to pronounce my name as well as possible. They did pronounce my first name perfectly, and that is fair enough. More seriously, I would to thank all speakers for their thoughtful interventions and, above all, for having clearly supported the priorities of the Swiss chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I see once again how very useful it is to have a one-page summary table of our priorities. For me, it was a clear image of support of my priorities as Chairperson-in-Office, which is very important to me. The support of the Council is of the utmost importance because we want to hold consultations throughout the year with all of our partners and all members of the Council.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“We are organizing a model OSCE, where youth ambassadors from all participating States will jointly develop a youth action plan similar to the Global Model United Nations and the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Youth. They have already started their work, in mid-January in Vienna. We strongly hope that their plan will inspire the OSCE Ministerial Council to adopt a youth action plan of its own and to provide young people with an institutionalized role within the OSCE. I have highlighted numerous opportunities for closer cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE. We are eager to intensify the dialogue between our organizations. My hope is that we will succeed in translating many ideas for further cooperation into successful projects.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“We would like to thank the United Nations, more specifically the Mediation Support Unit, for sharing its knowledge, for participating in an expert exchange and for co-organizing a training session. In that context, I welcome the recent establishment of a United Nations-OSCE mediation partnership framework between our Conflict Prevention Centre and the United Nations Policy and Mediation Division. I hope that the joint framework will lead to numerous concrete activities in the field of mediation. Lastly, we would also like to enhance exchanges with representatives of civil society during our chairmanship. In particular, we would like to give young people a voice.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“As for the Helsinki+40 process, we are attempting to get a clear idea of where the OSCE is heading by 2015, 40 years after the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. Within the framework of that reform process, we seek to strengthen the OSCE's mediation capacities. During our Swiss chairmanship, we would like to put Switzerland's particular expertise in the field of mediation to the benefit of the organization. Our goal is to create a unit within the OSCE that is highly specialized in mediation and dialogue facilitation. It is absolutely essential for an organization that must be able to build bridges in all situations, particularly between the East and the West. The initial results are encouraging.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Once those people return, they often stay in touch with extremists and terrorists, which means a heightened risk of terrorist attacks for their home countries. We therefore need to discuss how we can prevent such people from being recruited and departing to those conflict areas. But we also need to reflect on how to reintegrate returnees from such conflicts into our societies. Concerning our third and last main objective of strengthening the OSCE's capacity to act, I wish to draw the Council's attention to the OSCE's current reform process, called "Helsinki+40". The idea behind the process is to adapt the OSCE to the changing security needs, to address governance issues and to redefine the organization's approaches. The United Nations underwent a similar process in 2005, which resulted in the adoption of the World Summit Outcome document.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The resolution invites Member States to continue holding expert discussions within the United Nations and other competent international or regional organizations. Switzerland supports that line very clearly and the OSCE will contribute to such discussions. Kidnapping for ransom will be the subject of several OSCE debates, notably within the Security Committee and at a conference on counter-terrorism in Switzerland at the end of April. At that conference, we will also address the issue of foreign fighters. Over the past few years, an increasing number of citizens from OSCE participating States have joined armed groups outside the OSCE area and have participated in violent conflicts. Syria is just one particularly prominent example with many such foreign fighters. There are also other examples, such as the Horn of Africa.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“By doing so, we also seek to contribute to the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction of March 2015, held in Sendai, Japan. Moreover, we are committed to firmly embedding the topic in the United Nations sustainable development goals, also for 2015. Within the field of combating transnational threats, the fight against terrorism is a key concern. Kidnapping for ransom is a major source of funding for terrorist groups and organizations. They use those funds to increase their operational capacity and to carry out terrorist attacks. While they release upon payment, they are in fact setting up new victims. We should all find a common response to such a challenge. That is why the Swiss chairmanship welcomes resolution 2133 (2014), of 27 January.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The Optional Protocol, which has not yet been ratified by all participating States, is a fundamental instrument in combating torture in all its forms. Next is the topic of climate change and security. As a consequence of climate change, the number of natural disasters is increasing. Those disasters put the lives of many individuals at risk. That is why we have decided to make better prevention, mitigation and management of natural disasters a priority of our chairmanship. Promoting know-how and fostering cooperation on such issues will help to improve the safety conditions for people who live in the OSCE area and beyond. We are working on that in close cooperation with specialized United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“A chairmanship event on the issue will bring together the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degradeing treatment or punishment, Mr. Juan E. Mendez, and experts from civil society and other multilateral and national agencies involved in torture prevention. There will also be a sequence of regional workshops with a view to increasing the involvement of civil society across the OSCE. The Swiss chairmanship undertakes such initiatives with a view to encouraging the implementation of international commitments throughout the OSCE, beginning with those contained in the basic documents, namely, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Regional organizations need to play a leading role in implementing on the ground the commitments undertaken in the context of the United Nations. That is precisely why we have decided to focus our efforts on better implementation. International instruments for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as conventions and political commitments, can help improve people's lives only if their implementation is accepted and promoted by States at the national level. Organizations like the United Nations and the OSCE should do everything possible to support States in those efforts. Our focus is therefore on implementing the current commitments and not on developing new ones. One particular aspect worth mentioning in that regard is our focus on the prevention of torture.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“More than ever, it is essential that the international community act in a coordinated manner. Our second objective aims at improving people's lives. It is important for the OSCE to act not only in the interest of States but also of their citizens. All good politics is in the service of the people, by the people and for the people. That notion also lies behind our leitmotiv for our chairmanship in 2014, which is to create a security community for the benefit of everyone. The Swiss chairmanship is convinced that reinforcing cooperation between regional and global organizations in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law would significantly increase the impact of our work.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Concerning the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, the Swiss chairmanship will maintain and support the established formats for conflict settlement, primarily the Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France. The conflict deserves particular attention at this stage, as tensions have been rising lately with several violent incidents. I also consider it important to draw the Council's attention to the difficult situation in Transdniestria and throughout Moldova. Alongside Russia and Ukraine, the OSCE has been mandated to act as ajoint mediator in the Transdniestrian settlement process since 1993. There are indications that we may be entering a period of growing tensions in the conflict. I ask all the parties involved to act with caution and to refrain from making unilateral moves.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“As for our second geographical priority, Switzerland is looking for ways to build on its long-term involvement in the Southern Caucasus to help resolve the protracted conflicts in that region. In Georgia, the OSCE is working closely with the United Nations and the EU in the context of the Geneva international discussions. The Swiss chairmanship will support that format as much as possible. We stand ready to revive discussions on an international presence in Georgia if that is in line with what Georgia wants and if all the parties involved demonstrate a degree of openness and flexibility on the issue. The Geneva discussions should move towards a real format for a settlement of the crisis.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The OSCE field presence is ready to offer its good offices and to facilitate dialogue in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is well positioned to do so, as it has managed to build up trust over the years both with cantonal and federal authorities and with representatives of civil society. My Special Representative has called on the authorities to engage in immediate dialogue with the citizens. We will also contribute to normalizing the situation in northern Kosovo. The OSCE is not only organizing elections there, but it also aims to help create a democratic environment, restore confidence and encourage the political participation of minorities, again in close cooperation with the European Union.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“In the Western Balkans, we want to make progress on regional cooperation and assist people to overcome the difficulties of the past - the reconciliation. A specific field of cooperation we wish to support concerns the issue of missing persons. We also intend to launch a process on migratory challenges, which should lead to the development of a regional strategy with the Regional Cooperation Council and in close consultation with the European Union. The violent recent protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the resignation of several political leaders there have reminded us of the difficult political, economic and social context in that country and the prevailing risk of instability. Our mission on the ground is working closely with the European Union Force and the EU delegation to help improve the situation.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“As the Council can see on the outline distributed this morning, we would like to contribute three main objectives, that is, fostering security and stability, improving people's lives and strengthening the OSCE capacity to act. Those three objectives embody three values - security, freedom and responsibility. For each of those main objectives, we have defined three to four priority areas. The Council will find information on the priority areas in the fact sheets provided. I am going to focus on some of them in this discussion with my following comments. With regard to our first objective of fostering security and stability, I will limit myself to our geographical priorities, namely, the Western Balkans and the Southern Caucasus. I will also briefly mention the situation in Transdniestria.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“We expect the Ukrainian authorities to issue an early invitation for an ODIHR election observation mission. In view of the rapidly changing developments, we are also ready to review and further specify the activities of the OSCE project coordinator's office in Kiev. We are currently witnessing aphase ofde-escalation in Ukraine. It is essential to support a fair and inclusive process of transition that does not marginalize any part of Ukraine or any community. Ukraine deserves full international attention and support. I am convinced that the OSCE has the necessary tools to assist Ukraine in this difficult phase. I will now turn to the priorities of the Swiss OSCE chairmanship.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“He will quickly start consultations with all sides and will cooperate closely with international partners. A small OSCE core team has been sent to Ukraine to conduct a needs-assessment mission in the next few days. There is an urgent need to rebuild trust among all the parties involved. I encourage the new leaders of Ukraine to invite the ODIHR to send a human rights assessment mission to the country to establish the facts and circumstances of the incidents that took place in Ukraine. A human rights assessment mission would recommend measures to deal with serious violations of human rights allegedly committed during the crisis. Its findings would be presented in a report and would help advance national reconciliation in Ukraine. Presidential elections will be a crucial moment in the current transition period.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Ukraine should of course play a prominent role in the group, and the key international actors should be included. We are currently consulting on that idea with all actors involved. The main task of the proposed group would be to support Ukraine in this transition period. The contact group would serve as a platform for coordination and the sharing of information on international assistance and project activities in Ukraine. Through its impartiality and inclusivity, the OSCE has the necessary attributes to host and moderate the group. Ukraine and all international actors involved in the crisis are in fact participating States of the OSCE. I have decided today to appoint Ambassador Tim Guldimann as my personal envoy on Ukraine. He will coordinate all ongoing and planned OSCE activities in Ukraine on behalf of the chairmanship.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“In a series of meetings, I have discussed options for OSCE assistance with the then-Ukrainian Government as well as with members of the opposition. The agreement reached on 21 February marked an important step towards ending the violence and paved the way for a political solution to the crisis. I congratulate everyone involved who made that breakthrough possible, including the Polish, German and French Foreign Ministers and the Special Envoy of the Russian Federation. With the appointment of an interim President by the Parliament, Ukraine has now entered a new phase of transition. Formidable challenges lie ahead. We should unite in our efforts to support Ukraine in these difficult times. A stable, democratic and united Ukraine is in the interest of us all. I therefore propose establishing an international contact group on Ukraine.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“(spoke in English) Since assuming the chairmanship of the OSCE at the beginning of 2014, my agenda has been dominated by the political crisis and recent escalation of violence in Ukraine. The outbreaks of violence in the context of the struggle about the future course of Ukraine and the high degree of instability the country has recently faced are a sobering reminder that security in Europe cannot be taken for granted. Those developments have revealed the need to foster dialogue, re-establish trust and rebuild bridges, both within Ukraine and across the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions. It is my firm conviction that the OSCE has a major role to play on both counts. During recent weeks, I have repeatedly called upon all sides to refrain from violence, resolve the crisis through dialogue and political means and respect human rights.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Next year, Switzerland will assume the chairmaship of the Partners for Cooperation in Asia forum, where we hope to discuss how to implement elements of an OSCE integrated and cooperative security model in East Asia. In the context of ongoing territorial disputes, rapidly increasing defence budgets and the increased risk of tensions and political polarization, East Asia could benefit from the experience of the OSCE on the establishment confidence-building measures and common standards through dialogue and transparency. The Asia-Pacific region is an engine for economic integration, and that may serve as a model when it comes to integration on the security front.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“Two years ago, we organized a course on conflict prevention for employees of the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and the OSCE. That format should be reactivated and serve as a model. We are prepared to devote ourselves to that task. On elections, there is close cooperation between the United Nation and regional organizations and, as in the case of Georgia and Afghanistan, efforts are complementary. The OSCE will support the presidential elections to be held in Afghanistan in April 2014. Afghanistan is one of the OSCE's six partner cooperating countries in the Asian region. That will be the fifth time that the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE will monitor elections in Afghanistan. I should briefly like to expand upon an idea concerning the Asia-Pacific region.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The OSCE and its four specialized agencies carry out 16 missions - from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kyrgyzstan - with a relatively modest annual budget of â‚¬145 million. To give an example, that is 15 times smaller than the amount that Switzerland devotes to internaitonal cooperation. We would like to introduce a new mission model that better corresponds to the specific needs of each host country. At the same time, we should ensure that we preserve the crucial preventive role played by our missions and that we safeguard the identity of the OSCE as a field organization that supports host countries in the implementation of the commitments made at the organization. We could also consider other joint actions under Chapter VIII of the Charter f for example, in the area of training.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“One week ago, the Austrian presidency of the Council of Europe and the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE jointly organized a conference aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation between the two organizations in the fight against trafficking in human beings. The conference was a success. A framework identifying concrete measures was developed that, among other things, provides for developingjoint training to improve criminal prosecution. With regard to relations between the OSCE and the United Nations, further cooperation should be envisaged on the ground. A successful example is undoubtedly the work carried out in Kosovo by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and the OSCE Mission. Within the OSCE, we have launched a process of reflection with regard to further improving the efficiency of our field missions.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The Helsinki Final Act of 1975 recognized for the first time that threats to stability and security not only came from troops and weapons but also - without reference to any hiearchy - from economic crises, environmental degradation and human rights violations. Today, that comprehensive security model is more relevant than ever because it provides effective responses to current challenges and the security needs of the individual. We therefore hope to strengthen cooperation between the OSCE and other regional security organizations and the United Nations, always in line with the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter. The cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe is an example at the regional level.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“The work of the OSCE, as a regional organization under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, contributes to the efforts of the United Nations to maintain and re-establish peace, security and international stability. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon recently relaunched the debate on the revitalization of the role of regional organizations under Chapter VIII. We will organize a conference on that very subject in Vienna on 27 and 28 May, at which representatives from the United Nations and several regional organizations will participate. The concept of multidimensional security that the OSCE has developed could inspire other regional actors.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“That topic has strongly marked the initial phase of the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE. As the Council is aware, the OSCE is the largest regional security organization. It covers both the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions. It brings together 57 countries, from Vancouver to Vladivostok, as well as 11 partners, all the way to Australia. It takes its decisions by consensus. That is both a strength and, at times, a weakness, as we must constantly reach compromise in order to act. That is the spirit of cooperation that is at the heart of all the activities of the OSCE. That spirit of cooperation is also reflected in relations with the outside.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“We have together developed a joint work plan and we hope that this consecutive chairmanship will guarantee more continuity in the work of the OSCE. Moreover, we think that this continuity model should be instructive for the future. It is therefore with particular pleasure that I address the Council under Lithuanian chairmanship, given that it was your Government, Madam President, that facilitated that innovative type of presidency at the Vilnius Ministerial Conference in 2011. Today, I will outline the priorities of our presidency by setting them off against the backdrop of the cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations. As chairperson-in-office, I want to strengthen that cooperation. I will also talk about the role the OSCE plays in international efforts to manage the crisis in Ukraine.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“We also believe that our tradition of mediation and good offices can add an enriching contribution to the OSCE. We wish to contribute on the international front in order to demonstrate our responsibility and solidarity, which are two of the underlying principles of Switzerland's policy of peace and security. With regard to the United Nations, our policy is also reflected in our decision to seek membership in the Security Council for the period 2023-2024, as well as in our OSCE chairmanship for a second time - Switzerland being the first country to do so. This is also the first time in the history of the OSCE that two countries holding the chairmanship for a second time cooperate so closely - Switzerland this year and Serbia in 2015.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source
“It is a great honour for me and for my country, Switzerland, to address the Council today as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I thank the Council for its invitation. Switzerland has embraced its chairmanship of the OSCE with great determination and modesty, realizing full well that security is an art, and a difficult and fragile one, as the events in Ukraine are demonstrating once again - indeed, I shall dwell on that topic for longer that I had intended, as things there have now moved into a new phase. Switzerland decided to assume the chairmanship of the OSCE for strategic reasons. We view the promotion of stability in Europe and its neighbouring regions, as well as in the fragile regions of the world, as a major axis of our new foreign affairs policy.”
2014-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7117 (2014) · source