Sweden’s OSCE Chair: Settlement of situation in Ukraine should include Crimea

17.07.2020 11:46

Ukrinform

Assuming OSCE Chair in 2021, Sweden will continue to work towards a political settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in line with OSCE commitments and in full respect of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders including Crimea and Sevastopol.

"The most blatant and recent challenge to the European security order is what is often referred to here in Vienna as the ‘crisis in and around Ukraine’, or rather, as described at the annual Security Conference in June, ‘the events concerning Ukraine.’ As Chair we will continue to build on the dedicated efforts of our predecessors in finding a sustainable political solution to the conflict, in line with OSCE principles and commitments. This must be in full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and Sevastopol," Sweden’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Robert Rydberg said during the presentation of Sweden’s Chair priorities at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden pointed out the importance of the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, the Trilateral Contact Group and close cooperation with the Normandy format.

In addition, Sweden’s Chair will make efforts to settle the conflicts in Georgia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transnistria.

"Contributing to the settlement of conflicts in the OSCE area will be among the top priorities of our agenda," Rydberg said.

In order to ensure a stable and sustainable situation in the area, Sweden’s Chair will work closely with the OSCE field missions, which are "the central tool that makes the OSCE truly unique security organization."

Robert Rydberg said that Sweden’s primary focus as Chair “will have to be to go back to basics” and the fundamental tasks of the OSCE, reminding participating States that it is high time to live up to the common commitments laid down in the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter of 1990.

The OSCE Chairmanship is held for one calendar year by the OSCE participating State. Albania chairs OSCE in 2020, and Sweden will take over the chairmanship on January 1, 2021.