In his speech, the head of Polish diplomacy noted that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is faced with many serious and unprecedented challenges. Among these he listed the complex international situation, conflicts in the OSCE area, the internal crisis in Belarus, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Organization should focus its efforts on its key functions. The fundamental principles set out in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and subsequent documents remain relevant,” reminded Minister Rau.

Referring to the ongoing aggression against Ukraine as well as protracted conflicts in the OSCE area, the head of the Polish MFA stressed that the OSCE remains a suitable forum to support regional dialogue and has unique instruments for defusing tensions. Minister Rau also addressed the developments in Belarus. He pointed out that the report which professor Wolfgang Benedek prepared for the OSCE clearly shows the need to hold free and fair elections and launch social dialogue. He also reminded that the OSCE can support these actions.

The two-day virtual meeting, attended by the Polish delegation headed by Minister Zbigniew Rau, marks the end of Albania’s year-long chairmanship of the Organization – in January 2021 Sweden will take over the OSCE chair, followed by Poland in 2022. On this occasion, the chief of Polish diplomacy wished Sweden every success in performing tasks related to its OSCE chairmanship in 2021, and expressed his hope for our close cooperation within the OSCE Troika (Albania, Sweden, and Poland) from January 2021.

MFA Press Office

Fot. Tymon Markowski/ MFA