28.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Head of the OSCE Mission in Baku, Ambassador Jose-Luis Herrero. The European Union warmly welcomes Ambassador Jose-Luis Herrero on the occasion of his first appearance before the Permanent Council. The comprehensive report he has presented today reflects an ambitious programme for the coming months. We are pleased to see that the Office is furthering its constructive co-operation with the Azerbaijani authorities.
The EU fully supports the proposal to expand the Office’s activities in the regions suggested in the 2008 Programme Outline. This would help to bridge the current gap between the regions and the capital and strengthen the Office's interaction with regional and municipal authorities and civil society. In our view, regional activities should be based on the comprehensive approach to security of this Organisation and cover activities in all three dimensions.
28.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the High Commissioner on National Minorities, Ambassador Rolf Ekéus. The European Union warmly welcomes Ambassador Ekéus back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his final report at the end of his six year tenure. It was a period full of challenges and important developments, such as the enlargement of the European Union; deepening co-operation among the countries of southeast Europe and with the European Union; the conclusion and implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the signing of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans with the three countries of Southern Caucasus. During this period the High Commissioner on National Minorities and his Office have continued to make a valuable contribution.
28.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Report of the Director of the ODIHR, Ambassador Christian Strohal. The European Union warmly welcomes Ambassador Strohal back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his presentation.
On 8 May, at the informal briefing called by the ODIHR, the EU commended the efforts of the ODIHR in taking forward the recommendations of its report ‘Common Responsibility’, and implementation of the Brussels taskings directed to the ODIHR including those in Ministerial Council decision 19/06 on strengthening the effectiveness of the OSCE. We were pleased, on that occasion, to welcome the presentation of a new Long Term Observer Handbook as one example of the work undertaken by the ODIHR to further strengthen the election observation methodology and assistance programmes in line with Ministerial Council decision 19/06. And we welcome news today of further substantial progress including a series of new and updated guidelines, new recruitment processes, training courses, and increased translation.
28.06.2007 OSCE:Statement of the European Union on the adoption of an EU Strategy for a new Partnership with Central Asia. Mr Chairman, allow me to use this opportunity to quote the section concerning Central Asia from the Conclusions of the European Council that took place in Brussels on 21 and 22 June 2007: Begin quote: “The European Council adopted an EU strategy for a new partnership with Central Asia. This strategy will serve as an overall framework for EU relations with Central Asia, including in the fields of human rights, rule of law, good governance and democracy, education, economic development, trade and investment, energy and transport, environmental policies, migration and inter-cultural dialogue. The strategy defines the EU's priorities for its cooperation with the region as a whole, but implementation will be tailored to the specific requirements and performance of each Central Asian state. The European Council asks the Council and the Commission to regularly review progress in implementing this strategy and to submit a first progress report to the European Council by the middle of 2008.” End of quote.
22.06.2007 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of certain Conventional Weapons - EU Presidential Statement. Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak as the Presidency of the European Union.
The Member States of the European Union came to this Meeting of CCW Governmental Experts with the aim of enabling this body to clearly show the CCW's relevance to matters of International Humanitarian Law in general and humanitarian concerns of cluster munitions in particular.
This is why we introduced at the start of our meeting a proposal for a negotiating mandate on cluster munitions to be recommended by this GGE for adoption by the Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW in November 2007.
21.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Report by the Secretary General on the Wallnerstrasse premises. The European Union warmly welcomes the Secretary General, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, and thanks him for the comprehensive presentation on the planned move of the Secretariat to new premises. We also thank him and his staff for their untiring efforts to prepare that undertaking. Further to Porto Ministerial Council Decision No. 9 of 7 December 2002 we welcome the planned move of the OSCE Secretariat to new premises in Wallnerstraße and hope that the time frame envisaged can be kept.
21.06.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on Death Penalty in the USA. The EU reiterates its longstanding and active opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. We consider that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.
While we are always conscious of the suffering of the victims of violent crime and their families, we strongly believe that capital punishment tends to degrade the respect for the right to life. The EU wishes to stress that in our view the death penalty does not serve as an effective deterrent, and any miscarriage of justice, which is inevitable in any legal system, will be irreversible.
21.06.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in Response to the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Miklos Haraszti. he European Union welcomes Mr. Haraszti to the Permanent Council once again and thanks him for his report. The EU attaches great importance to the work of the Representative and his office. The impartial exercise of his functions throughout the OSCE area lends credibility to his recommendations and adds weight to his reports to the Permanent Council. We welcome his attention to media freedom issues also within our own countries. A free and independent media is a cornerstone of any democratic society.
19.06.2007 CCW-GGE on ERW and Cluster Munitions - EU Statement. Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia as well as the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
15.06.2007 OSCE : Réponse de l’Union européenne aux trois Représentants personnels de la Présidence en exercice pour la Tolérance et la Non-discrimination. L'Union européenne remercie les trois Représentants personnels de la Présidence en exercice pour la Tolérance et la Non-discrimination, Mme. Anastasia Crickley, M. l'Ambassadeur Omur Orhun et M. Gert Weisskirchen, pour leurs rapports d'activités. Elle leur souhaite la bienvenue au Conseil permanent. L'Union européenne rend hommage au dévouement des trois Représentants personnels, dont elle apprécie la vigilance face aux manifestations d'intolérance et de discrimination, ainsi que la contribution qu'ils apportent à la promotion et au suivi de la mise en oeuvre des engagements pertinents des Etats participants. Nous sommes particulièrement satisfaits de leur attention à toutes les formes d’intolérance et de discrimination et souhaitons que tous les phénomènes d'intolérance reçoivent l’attention continue de l’ OSCE.
14.06.2007 OSCE : Déclaration de l’Union européenne sur le premier tour des élections locales en République de Moldavie. Au lendemain du premier tour des élections locales en République de Moldavie, organisé le 3 juin, l'Union européenne a pris connaissance avec attention des conclusions préliminaires de la Mission d'observation du Bureau des Institutions démocratiques et des droits de l'Homme de l' OSCE .
L'Union européenne relève avec satisfaction que ces élections ont été dans l'ensemble correctement administrées, du fait notamment des améliorations apportées au cadre législatif suite aux recommandations du BIDDH et de la Commission de Venise du Conseil de l'Europe. Les électeurs se sont vus proposer un véritable choix et le bon niveau de participation dans plusieurs régions du pays témoigne d’une amélioration de la confiance dans le processus électoral.
14.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin. The European Union warmly welcomes Ambassador Pryakhin back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his report and presentation. We are pleased that his Office continues to enjoy good cooperation with the Armenian authorities and that this has enabled an expansion in the number of projects and an extension of their geographical reach. Given the increasing scope of the Office’s activities, we continue to appreciate the attention paid to systematic prioritisation, balance in activity between the dimensions, coordination with the international community, especially the EU , and close cooperation with the authorities and civil society in defining and implementing programmes.
14.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to H.E. Gela Bezhuashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The European Union warmly welcomes Minister Bezhuashvili back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his presentation. The EU has enhanced its relationship with Georgia in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The high frequency of high level contacts between the EU and Georgia reflects the importance the European Union attaches to its relations with Georgia. EU Special Representative Semneby and his team, in close coordination with the EU Heads of Mission in Tbilisi, are in constant contact with the Georgian authorities in order to facilitate an intensive dialogue between Georgia and the EU based on mutual understanding and trust.
14.06.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on the media situation in Kazakhstan. The EU continues to follow the media situation in Kazakhstan with great interest. We note the ongoing deliberations on a new media law, which has been welcomed by the Representative on Freedom of the Media and which, if passed and implemented, would contribute significantly to media freedom in Kazakhstan. While the EU is pleased that the TV channel KTK and the weekly newspaper Karavan are currently operating, and that the ruling on 24 May by an Almaty court to suspend their activities has been lifted, we are concerned by the lack of clarity on the rationale behind these court actions, as well as by indications that the range of output of these outlets, for example as regards news and analytical programming on KTK, has been reduced.
31.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, H.E. Condoleezza Rice. The European Union very warmly welcomes the Secretary of State of the United States, H.E. Condoleezza Rice, to this special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, and thanks her for her inspiring address. Mr. Chairman, in a world of global threats and challenges, our security and prosperity increasingly depend on an effective multilateral system. Here in the OSCE, as in other multilateral organisations, the strategic partnership between the European Union and the U.S. is essential to our work. It goes without saying that the organisation has to be provided with the necessary resources to fulfil its important tasks. Our positions are based on common approaches, shared values and shared responsibility. We are jointly committed to promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and tolerance and non-discrimination. We lend our strong support to the ODIHR and its valuable work particularly in the field of election observation.
24.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on the Report by the Secretary General on the implementation of tasks to further strengthen the effectiveness of the OSCE. The European Union welcomes Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his detailed report on the implementation of the Brussels tasks on further strengthening the effectiveness of the OSCE and its executive structures.
The European Union is pleased that the process of strengthening the Effectiveness of the OSCE and its Executive Structures, a process initiated at the Ljubiljana Ministerial Council in 2005, was essentially brought to conclusion at the last Ministerial Council in Brussels, with only a few issues, such as the question of ‘legal capacity’, still under negotiation.
24.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to the Head of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador Miroslav Jenca. The European Union welcomes Ambassador Jenca back to the Permanent Council, and thanks him for his comprehensive report.
As stated in the PC of last week, the EU remains seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Uzbekistan. However, we once again stress our readiness to pursue a comprehensive and regular dialogue with Uzbekistan on human rights. We appreciate the readiness of the Uzbek side to engage in this dialogue, initiated on 8/9 May in Tashkent, and look forward to its continuation in an open and constructive manner, with a view to achieving concrete and sustained results.
24.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in Response to the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Ambassador Markus Müller. The European Union warmly welcomes Ambassador Müller to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his informative report. The EU welcomes the strong and productive relationship between the OSCE and the government of Kyrgyzstan, to which the multi- and cross-dimensional work of Ambassador Müller and his team has contributed significantly.
24.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The EU would like to thank the delegation of Kazakhstan for the information it has provided on the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted last week. We appreciate the fact that the Permanent Council is being kept informed about this important issue.
We note that the stated purpose of the changes is to democratise society and to provide effective protection of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the people. We welcome the opportunity to learn more about the reforms and the plans for their implementation at the informal briefing to be given tomorrow by H.E. the Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan.
24.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on Media Freedom in Azerbaijan. Only two weeks ago, the European Union voiced its regret about the sentencing of two media representatives in Azerbaijan to three and four years imprisonment on libel charges. Today we have to note with deep concern that this and previous appeals to the Government of Azerbaijan to conform to OSCE standards on freedom of the media have gone unheeded.
Like the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Miklos Haraszti, we were shocked to hear that Muxalifet Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Mr. Rovshan Kebirli and its correspondent Mr. Yashar Agazadeh were sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment on May 16th, on charges of libel and insult against a Member of Parliament from the ruling party. Regrettably, these two cases bring the number of journalists who are currently serving prison sentences in Azerbaijan to seven.
23.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergei Lavrov. The European Union warmly welcomes H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergei Lavrov, to this joint meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation and the Permanent Council. We thank him for his address to which we have listened with great interest.
Over the past few years, the contacts between the European Union and the Russian Federation have intensified in all areas. The EU Troika meets with representatives of the Russian Federation at many levels, covering also all OSCE -related issues. Just a few days ago, on 18 May, the EU-Russia-Summit took place near Samara. In the course of very open, at times difficult discussions a variety of common interests, but also different perceptions were apparent. We value, and look forward to further developing, this dialogue. We also appreciate our consultations with the Russian Ambassadors and their teams here in Vienna.
23.05.2007 15th Economic and Environmental Forum: European Union Closing Statement. Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. This year’s Economic and Environmental Forum in Vienna and Prague and the two preparatory conferences in Bishkek and Zaragoza gave us an opportunity to reflect upon the links between environment and security, a topic high on the international agenda.
The review session provided us with a good opportunity to discuss some of the commitments of OSCE participating States in the field of the environment. We appreciate the approach adopted by the UNECE and would like to thank them for their valuable report, as well as for their repeated commitment to intensify co-operation with the OSCE .
21.05.2007 15th Economic and Environmental Forum
15th Economic and Environmental Forum, Prague, 21 May 2007. Mr Chairman, Your Excellency Minister Moratinos, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. The European Union is very pleased to participate in this year’s Economic and Environmental Forum here in Prague. The Forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss some of the “key challenges to ensure environmental security and sustainable development in the OSCE area”. As we have said before, the topics chosen by the Spanish Chairmanship match the EU’s own focus on strengthening international cooperation to address threats posed by the degradation of ecosystems.
18.05.2007 2007 Human Dimension Seminar, Warsaw: Closing statement of the European Union. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, close to the end of this seminar I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the European Union for organizing this important event. Our thanks also go to all those who have prepared or actively participated in this seminar – the keynote speaker and the introducers, the moderators and rapporteurs, delegates from governments and state institutions, non-state participants, representatives of international and regional organisations, the interpreters and everybody else who had a hand in the preparation and holding of this seminar. Mr. Chairman, the European Union has listened carefully to the reports provided by the rapporteurs and is looking forward to the consolidated summary of this seminar. We will study this summary with great attention for appropriate follow-up in the Member States of the European Union, and we hope the consolidated summary will facilitate a systematic follow-up on the debates and recommendations of this event in the other participating States as well. The European Union has formulated a number of recommendations that we would like to contribute to the outcome document. Delegations will find these recommendations annexed to this statement which will be circulated both electronically and through the boxes outside the room.
18.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad, Ambassador Djikic. The European Union welcomes Ambassador Djikic back to the Permanent Council, and thanks him for his comprehensive report. The European Union notes several positive developments in Turkmenistan since the taking of office of President Berdymukhammedov, including encouraging moves in the fields of education, health, and agriculture. The European Union has taken note of the demonstrated readiness of Turkmenistan to intensify its dialogue and co-operation with the OSCE, including ODIHR, as exemplified by the visit of the CiO to the country. We have also taken positive note of the recent visit of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights.
However, the European Union encourages Turkmenistan to fully implement its OSCE commitments, and to further intensify its efforts on democratic reforms, especially on guaranteeing adherence to internationally accepted human rights standards. The recommendations of the Report of the UN Secretary General on the Situation of Human Rights in Turkmenistan of October 2006, as well as the recommendations of the OSCE Rapporteur’s Report on Turkmenistan of March 2003 remain important milestones in further implementing efforts.
18.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Death Penalty in the USA. The EU reiterates its longstanding and active opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. We consider that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. On the other hand, the death penalty does not serve as an effective deterrent, and any miscarriage of justice, which is inevitable in any legal system, would be irreversible. While aiming for the universal abolition of the death penalty the EU seeks a moratorium in all countries that retain capital punishment as a first step towards this end. The EU is therefore concerned about an imminent breach of the de facto moratorium in the State of Arizona. The EU has learned that Mr. Robert Charles Comer is to be executed on 22 May 2007. This would be the first execution in that state since November 2000. The EU wishes to encourage the appropriate authorities in the State of Arizona to continue the moratorium on the death penalty and urges them to grant clemency to Mr. Comer.
17.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on parliamentary elections in Armenia on 12 May. The International Election Observation Mission to the 12 May parliamentary elections in Armenia concluded that the elections “demonstrated improvement and were conducted largely in accordance with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.” The EU welcomes this preliminary conclusion. We commend the Armenian authorities on the steps taken to address previous shortcomings, including considerably improving the Election Code, and providing for training of election officials. The election authorities generally worked efficiently in the pre-election period, and were technically well equipped and prepared on election day. We also welcome the fact that there was visible and dynamic campaigning by many candidates in a largely permissive environment with extensive media coverage of the election. The International Election Observation Mission also reported, however, cases of fraud schemes and problems during the count and tabulation of the votes. This led the Mission to conclude that Armenia had been unable to deliver a performance fully consistent with their stated intention that the election would meet international standards. We remind Armenia that the election process is not over yet and that matters such as ensuring the efficient and transparent follow-up to complaints will still require attention in the post-election period.
17.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the EU on developments in South Ossetia, Georgia. In its statement at last week’s Permanent Council, the European Union conveyed its concerns about the high number of violent incidents in South Ossetia. This week regrettably we have to repeat our concerns. As described in the Spot Report of the OSCE Mission to Georgia of 13 May, the recent appointment of Mr. Sanakoyev as Head of the temporary administrative unit for South Ossetia was followed by a statement by Mr. Kokoity that he would take “all necessary measures” to remove Mr. Sanakoyev’s ”self declared government”. The Trans-Caucasus highway was closed by the order of Mr. Kokoity, and there were heavy exchanges of fire throughout the weekend. In addition, there are reports about movements of South Ossetian armed units and sightings of night time truck convoys.
Furthermore, a joint OSCE/JPKF patrol was ordered by South Ossetian special police forces to proceed without OSCE monitors. We repeat last week’s EU statement that any impediment to OSCE monitors to perform their duties is unacceptable since it violates the OSCE’s right to unhindered access to the whole of the zone of conflict, as guaranteed by the South Ossetian side in the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding with the OSCE. We agree with the OSCE Mission that full monitoring of the relevant areas by JPKF together with OSCE military observers is necessary.
17.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions on Uzbekistan. With reference to the intervention made during the 664th meeting of the Permanent Council on 3 May by the distinguished Uzbek Ambassador, the EU would like to draw the attention of participating States to the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions on Uzbekistan adopted by the Foreign Ministers of the European Union on 14 May, which I should like to quote here in full:
16.05.2007 2007 Human Dimension Seminar, Warsaw: Opening statement of the European Union. Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to address the opening session of the 2007 OSCE Human Dimension Seminar on behalf of the European Union. Let me first thank the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for hosting this meeting here in the city of Warsaw, where the Office has its headquarters. The European Union welcomes the opportunity provided by this seminar to exchange information and discuss effective participation and representation in democratic societies, an issue which is of equal importance to all OSCE participating States. As is customary, representatives of all OSCE participating states, international organizations and non-governmental organizations have been invited to attend the seminar. The meeting should provide an open forum for important issues, including difficult and controversial ones, to be discussed between Governments and civil society. The member States of the European Union will engage constructively in this.
10.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on threats against monitors in South Ossetia, Georgia. The European Union listened carefully to the statement just made by the Ambassador of Georgia.
The EU reiterates its concerns about the high number of violent incidents in South Ossetia. We are particularly concerned about the Spot Report of the OSCE Mission to Georgia of 7 May, which describes how a joint JPKF/OSCE monitoring patrol, upon their recovery of an anti-aircraft weapon and missile inside the zone of conflict, were threatened at gunpoint by armed men who claimed to belong to the South Ossetian “Ministry of Interior”. This treatment of JPKF/OSCE staff, preventing them from performing their monitoring duties, is unacceptable and harms efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Given the tense situation on the ground, the EU urges all parties to exercise caution, to refrain from provocative actions and to make good on previous promises regarding de-militarization as a confidence-building measure.
10.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Head of the OSCE Centre in Almaty, Ambassador Ivar Vikki. The EU warmly welcomes Ambassador Vikki back to the Permanent Council. We thank him for his comprehensive report and appreciate the fact that it provides an overview both of the Centre’s activities and of more general developments in areas relevant to the Centre’s mandate.
We are pleased to note the Centre’s successful cooperation with both the authorities and the civil society of the host country and we are confident that this approach will continue after the move of the main office to Astana. We look forward to the swift adoption of a renewed mandate for the Centre and continue to attach particular importance to maintaining a fully operational liaison office in Almaty.
10.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Armenia’s refusal to grant visas to Turkish OSCE short-term observers. The European Union was concerned to learn that eight Turkish short term observers were denied entry visas to Armenia, preventing them from joining the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission ahead of the 12 May parliamentary elections.
We consider that such refusal is not in line with the 1990 Copenhagen document whereby OSCE participating States committed to invite observers from any other participating State. We note that the Director of the ODIHR has also expressed his concern, stating that "An invitation to observe elections is an invitation to all OSCE participating States, and is issued in order to ensure equal treatment and strengthen the diversity of observation.”
10.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Media Freedom in Azerbaijan. In Permanent Council on 26 April, the European Union expressed concern about the sentencing of Mr. Eynulla Fatullayev, the editor of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azarbaycan, to two and a half years in prison on libel charges.
We have on numerous occasions supported the call of the OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media to end the use of criminal defamation legislation to limit media freedom in Azerbaijan. It was therefore with great regret that we learnt that on 4 May, two more journalists, Mr. Rafiq Tagi, a journalist of Senet, and his editor Mr. Samir Sadagatoglu, were sentenced to three and four years imprisonment respectively for the publication of a philosophical essay which was allegedly an "incitement to national, racial and religious hatred".
10.05.2007 First session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Vienna, 10 May 2007. Mr. Chairman, 1. The EU is determined to play a part in addressing the problems of regional instability and insecurity and the situations of conflict which lie behind many weapons programmes. Instability does not occur in a vacuum. The best solution to the problem of WMD proliferation is that countries should no longer feel they need them. If possible, political solutions should be found to the problem which lead them to seek WMD. The more secure countries feel, the more likely they are to abandon programmes: disarmament measures can lead to a virtuous circle just as weapons programmes can lead to an arms race. To this end, the EU will foster regional security arrangements and regional arms control and disarmament processes.
10.05.2007 First session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Vienna, 8 May 2007. Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The EU is committed to the preservation of the integrity of the NPT and the strengthening of its implementation. This commitment is enshrined in the EU Strategy Against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction agreed by our Heads of State and Government in December 2003. Integral to this Strategy is our conviction that a multilateralist approach to security, including disarmament and non-proliferation provides the best way to maintain international order. Multilateralism is based on the concept of shared commitments and obligations and we must ensure that these commitments are respected and all obligations are complied with, within the NPT framework by all States Parties. The NPT can only fulfil its role if we are confident of the compliance of all States Parties with the obligations of the Treaty.
10.05.2007 First session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Vienna, 9 May 2007. Mr. Chairman, The EU believes that the prevention of nuclear proliferation and the pursuit of nuclear disarmament in accordance with Article VI of the NPT are essential for global peace and security. This holds true as well for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, in accordance with all provisions of the Treaty. We are therefore firmly committed to the objective of strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as underlined in the EU Common Position of 25 April 2005 by which we stand. The EU continues to support the decisions and resolution adopted at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference and the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference and shall bear in mind the current situation.
10.05.2007 First session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Vienna, 10 May 2007. Mr. Chairman, 1. Article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) establishes the inalienable right of all States Parties to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II as well as Article III of the Treaty. To take advantage of the possibilities that exist in this area, the States Parties are called on to cooperate. It should be stated unequivocally in this context that any possibility of improper use of civilian nuclear programmes for nuclear military purposes must be effectively excluded. Mr. Chairman, 2. The peaceful nuclear activities and cooperation in this area are strongly related to the non-proliferation obligations that arise from the Treaty.
03.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on recent developments. Mr Chairman,
The EU is deeply concerned about recent developments in the relationship between one of its Member States and the Russian Federation.
First and foremost, we are alarmed by the situation in front of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow. We condemn the physical attack committed against the Estonian Ambassador in Moscow yesterday as well as other attacks against diplomatic visitors to the Estonian Embassy in Moscow. This is unprecedented and demands immediate action. As pointed out during a meeting of the EU-Troika with Deputy Foreign Minister Gruschko, we urge the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and expect her in particular to protect the personnel and premises of the mission, as well as to ensure unimpeded access to the mission.
03.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in. The European Union welcomes Ambassador James Schumaker back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive report.
The EU fully supports the valuable work of the Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in all three OSCE dimensions. We were pleased to hear Ambassador Schumaker’s comments about the good co-operation his Office enjoys with the Ukrainian authorities. We are satisfied with the fact that, while its activities continue to grow, the Office maintains its focus on areas in which others are not providing significant assistance, or in areas where it has special expertise. The Office’s close co-operation and co-ordination with the EU and other international organizations, and its compilation of the yearly database of all ongoing donor activities contribute greatly to increasing efficiency and coherence of the international assistance effort in Ukraine.
03.05.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on current election-related issues . Mr Chairman, let me present some views of the European Union on current election-related issues. The EU member states fully support ODIHR in its election-related activities. Therefore, the delegations of European Union Member States are looking forward to next Tuesday’s briefing and informal discussion convened by ODIHR. This meeting provides a timely opportunity to exchange views on election-related issues, including the implementation of MC Decision 19/06. The EU believes that the implementation of this decision is a common endeavour for all OSCE participating States.
03.05.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day. Mr. Chairman,
Today, on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day is observed around the world. We recall those journalists and other media professionals who have sacrificed their lives or their liberty or suffered serious injuries in their efforts to present news and comment to the public at large. In particular we recall those attacks on free and independent media which are all too frequent in the OSCE area, such as the brutal assassination of Anna Politkovskaya, posthumous recipient of this year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
30.04.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, H.E. Marat Tazhin. The EU warmly welcomes the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, H.E. Marat Tazhin to the Permanent Council. We are pleased to see him here so soon after his appointment and regard this as a sign of the importance that Kazakhstan attaches to the OSCE.
The EU attaches high value to its relationship with Kazakhstan and thanks Foreign Minister Tazhin for hosting the recent EU Troika and Central Asia Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana. The meeting contributed to further the elaboration of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
30.04.2007 Statement by Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Government for Arms Control and Disarmament on behalf of the EU. 1. I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Country Croatia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Serbia, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this statement. Mr. Chairman, I would, first of all, like to congratulate you on your appointment as Chair of this Preparatory Committee and assure you of the support of the European Union in your efforts throughout this meeting. We look forward to fruitful and substantive discussions with a view to building consensus for the 2010 Review Conference. We are ready as well to support you in your efforts to prepare for a consensus on procedural issues for the further review cycle and the 2010 Review Conference. Mr. Chairman, 2. The EU is committed to the preservation of the integrity of the NPT and the strengthening of its implementation.This commitment is enshrined in the EU Strategy against Proliferation
26.04.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in Response to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, H.E. Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The European Union warmly welcomes the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, H.E. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, to this meeting of the Permanent Council and thanks him for his address. We should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. Minister, on your recent appointment to this important post.
The EU follows the internal developments in Ukraine closely. We listened with great interest to Minister Yatsenyuk’s analysis of the political situation in his country and we welcome Ukraine’s determination to find a workable solution to the current political crisis.
26.04.2007 Statement of the EU in response to the Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk, Ambassador Åke Peterson. Mr. Chairman, as we just mentioned in our statement in response to H.E., the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, today is a special day not least for Belarus. The accident of 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant heavily affected Belarus which received over 70 percent of the radioactive fallout. Belarus and its people continue to face serious problems due to this contamination. The European Union and its Member States have been giving considerable assistance to alleviate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
26.04.2007 EU Statement on Media Freedom in Azerbaijan. The European Union has learned with grave concern that on 20 April, Mr Eynulla Fatullayev, the editor of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azarbaycan, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on libel charges. We would like to reiterate our preoccupation, voiced in the Permanent Council on 1 March, that criminal defamation suits initiated by public officials are being used in order to limit media freedom, especially when such suits lead to harsh prison sentences.
25.04.2007 EU Statement on the Assumption of the Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation by Croatia. The European Union extends a very warm welcome to Croatia as incoming Chair of the FSC and to Denmark as a new member of the FSC Troika. We are looking forward to cooperate closely with the new Troika in order to strengthen the FSC’s effectiveness.
The EU would also like to once again express its sincere appreciation for the excellent work done by the previous Chairmanship, Cyprus. The EU was especially pleased with the successful efforts aimed at improving the modalities during this year’s Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting.
19.04.2007 OSZE: Statement of the European Union on Freedom of Assembly in Russia, following the events on 14 and 15 April in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The European Union is concerned by the disproportionate use of force by Russian law enforcement authorities against peaceful demonstrators and media representatives, both Russian and international, in Moscow and St. Petersburg last Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 April. The European Union is also concerned by a number of arbitrary arrests in the context of the above-mentioned events.
The right to assemble peacefully – including the holding of marches - is a cornerstone of pluralistic democracy. It provides an important safeguard of freedom of expression and the right to political participation. The freedoms of assembly and association are essential elements of the OSCE acquis since the 1975 Helsinki Final Act.
19.04.2007 OSZE: Statement of the European Union on the Death Penalty. The EU reiterates its longstanding and active opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. As declared on many occasions and recently on the occasion of the Third World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris in February 2007 and at the 4th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2007, we consider that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.
17.04.2007 Statement of the EU in response to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Mr Vartan Oskanian. The European Union warmly welcomes H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Vartan Oskanian, back to the Permanent Council. We thank him for his presentation which we have listened to with great interest. The EU was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. He will be long remembered for his many years of faithful service to Armenia. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Margaryan, and to the people of Armenia.
29.03.2007 Statement by H.E. Ambassador Michael STEINER Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of the European Union. I would like to follow up on concerns raised in questions my delegation posed yesterday, on behalf of the European Union, during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on Torture and on Freedom of Expression and Association.
I have the honour to speak as Presidency of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, and Armenia, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United States of America align themselves with this declaration.
29.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Freedom of Assembly. In connection with recent demonstrations in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, the European Union would like to express its concern and to reiterate its position on freedom of assembly.
The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of pluralistic democracy. It provides an important safeguard of freedom of expression and the right to political participation. Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association". It has inspired similar expressions in declarations and national legislation worldwide including the European Union's own Charter of Fundamental Rights. The freedom of assembly and association have also formed an essential part of the OSCE acquis since the 1975 Helsinki Final Act.
29.03.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to the report by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia, Ambassador Roy Reeve. The European Union welcomes the Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia, Ambassador Roy Reeve, to the meeting of the Permanent Council today and thanks him for his very informative and comprehensive report.
The EU reiterates its support for the ongoing process of democratic reform in Georgia and values the Mission’s activities supporting the Georgian authorities in this field, including in particular those related to human rights, national minorities, the media, judiciary, penitentiary system, police and border guards.
29.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in Response to the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad. The European Union welcomes Ambassador Urstad back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his excellent report.
Mr Chairman, Serbia finds itself - once again - standing at an important crossroads. The EU welcomes the progress made by Serbia in the reform process. Parliamentary elections were held on 21 January. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission assessed that they were conducted in accordance with OSCE commitments. The EU now urges Serbia’s political leaders to form a government as soon as possible - a government that is committed to reform and a European future for Serbia.
29.03.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in Response to the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Miklos Haraszti. The European Union welcomes Mr. Haraszti to the Permanent Council once again. We should like to congratulate him on the extension of his mandate for a further term and wish him continued success in his work.
The EU attaches great importance to the work of the Representative on Freedom of the Media. We are conscious that his remit extends throughout the entire OSCE area and welcome his attention to media freedom issues in the EU. A free and independent media is a fundamental condition for the existence of democratic society.
22.03.2007 OSCE: Déclaration de l’Union européenne sur la République de Moldavie. Les co-médiateurs et observateurs du processus de règlement en Transnistrie se sont réunis le 20 mars à Vienne.
L’Union européenne apporte son plein soutien à leurs efforts pour renouer les fils de la négociation en format 5+2 le plus tôt possible.
Elle presse les parties concernées, en particulier la partie transnistrienne, d’adopter une attitude constructive et de se réengager sans précondition dans le processus de règlement.
22.03.2007 OSCE : Réponse de l'Union Européenne à l'intervention de la Représentante Spéciale et Coordinatrice pour la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains devant le Conseil Permanent. L'Union Européenne salue la venue, pour la deuxième fois, de la Représentante Spéciale et Coordinatrice pour la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains devant le Conseil permanent. Nous remercions Mme Biaudet pour le soin qu'elle apporte à l'information des délégations et l'encourageons à poursuivre dans cette voie.
L'Union Européenne partage les préoccupations de la Représentante Spéciale sur la récurrence de la traite sous toutes ses formes y compris d'exploitation sexuelle, de servitude pour dettes ou de travail forcé.
21.03.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on combating the illicit trafficking of SALW by air transport. The EU welcomes the initiative of France and Belgium to discuss the fight against the illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) by air transport at the Special Meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation.
SALW are a major factor in the triggering and spreading of conflicts and can contribute to the collapse of state structures. The illicit trafficking of SALW constitutes a threat to international peace and security, through uncontrolled spreading of illicit weapons in particular in conflict areas. It contributes to terrorism, regional conflicts, state failure and organized crime.
15.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Abkhazia, Georgia. The European Union is concerned about the violent attacks on villages in the Upper Kodori Valley in Abkhazia, Georgia, which took place during the night of 11 to 12 March.
The EU condemns these acts of violence which risk escalating the already tense situation in the region and calls upon the parties to exercise restraint. The EU welcomes the investigation carried out by a UN-led Joint Fact Finding Group – in which all parties involved take part – and hopes that the perpetrators of the attacks will be identified.
15.03.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in Response to the Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassodor Badescu. The European Union welcomes Ambassador Badescu to the Permanent Council for the first time as Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, and thanks her for her excellent report. The EU would also like to congratulate her and her team on the smooth conversion of the former OSCE Office in Podgorica into a separate full-fledged Mission to Montenegro with a broad mandate covering all three dimensions of the OSCE’s work.
08.03.2007 EU Statement in Response to the Address by H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania. The EU is particularly pleased to welcome the President of one of the Member States of the European Union, H.E. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, and congratulates him on his committed, visionary and comprehensive address to the Permanent Council of the OSCE.
The idea of building a “Europe whole and free” is an idea that is common to all of us and a responsibility that we share throughout the whole OSCE region.
08.03.2007 Application for Membership of the Agency of the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Congo. Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, associate themselves with this statement.
08.03.2007 Statement of the European Union in Response to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, H.E. Besnik Mustafaj. The European Union warmly welcomes the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, H.E. Mr. Besnik Mustafaj, to this special meeting of the Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive address. Mr. Chairman, as member of the Stabilisation and Association Process, Albania is a close partner of the European Union. EU-Albania relations advanced with the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in June 2006.
08.03.2007 OSZE: Réponse de l’Union européenne à l’Ambassadeur Louis O’Neill, Chef de la Mission de l’OSCE en Moldavie. L’Union européenne souhaite la bienvenue à l’Ambassadeur Louis O’Neill et le remercie pour la présentation de son premier rapport devant le Conseil permanent. Elle lui sait gré tout particulièrement de ses analyses sur le processus de règlement du conflit transnistrien. C’est avec de vifs regrets que l’Union européenne constate l’absence de progrès tangibles vers un règlement négocié, en dépit des efforts pour relancer le processus de négociations à 5+2, suspendu depuis un an indépendamment de la volonté des autorités moldaves.
08.03.2007 Report by the Director General on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, associate themselves with this statement.
08.03.2007 IAEO: Report by the Director General on the implementation of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, associate themselves with this statement.
01.03.2007 OSZE: Statement of the European Union in reply to the Delegation of Uzbekistan . The EU would like to respond to the comments made in the Permanent Council meeting on 15 February by the distinguished delegate of Uzbekistan in response to the statement of Switzerland on behalf of the group of like-minded countries, and in particular to his interpretation of the findings of the EU expert mission on Andijan.
01.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Local Elections held in Albania on 18 February 2007. Mr. Chairman, allow me to recall that the Council of the European Union held in Luxembourg on 12 June 2006 called on Albania to intensify its efforts on a number of priorities, set out in the European Partnership, including on ensuring that the forthcoming local elections fully comply with international standards. Moreover, on 4 August 2006, the Presidency of the European Union made a statement urging both Government and opposition to assume their fundamental political responsibility for the future of the country by preparing free and orderly local elections.
01.03.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on Media Freedom in Azerbaijan. The European Union considers media independence and pluralism as fundamental to any functioning democracy and free society. We have, therefore, noted with concern the Background Report on the Media situation in Azerbaijan, issued on 6 February by the OSCE Office in Baku, and recent statements by the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Haraszti, highlighting a negative trend of the media situation in the country.
01.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on the Presidential Elections in Turkmenistan. Mr. Chairman, on 14 February the Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union concerning the Presidential Elections in Turkmenistan: “The European Union continues to follow developments in Turkmenistan with great interest. The European Union hopes that the recent presidential elections in Turkmenistan will pave the way for internal reforms, in particular in the fields of human rights and democracy. The European Union notes that the new President announced a number of reforms in his inaugural speech.
01.03.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union in response to the Head of OMiK, Ambassador Werner Wnendt. The EU warmly welcomes Ambassador Wnendt and his team to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his detailed and comprehensive report. Mr. Chairman, the European Union remains strongly committed to building a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo within Europe. The visit of Ambassador Wnendt comes at a critical time for the future of Kosovo with the Vienna talks on President Ahtisaari’s proposal. The status process has now entered its decisive stage.
27.02.2007 Statement on behalf of the EU by Ambassador Bernhard BRASACK
, Geneva. Mr. President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. At the outset, Mr. President, allow me to congratulate Ambassador Duncan of the United Kingdom on the assumption of his post as Coordinator for Item 7 of our agenda.
23.02.2007 Statement on behalf of the EU by Thomas Matussek, Permanent Representative of Germany in the Security Council. Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, such as ballistic missiles, is a growing threat to international peace and security. While international treaty regimes and export control arrangements have slowed the spread of such weapons and their delivery systems, a number of states have sought or are seeking to develop such weapons. The risk that terrorists will acquire chemical, biological, radiological or fissile materials and their means of delivery adds a critical new dimension to this threat.
20.02.2007 OSCE: EU Statement in response to the UNSG's Special Envoy for the Future Status Process for Kosovo, H.E. President Martti Ahtisaari. The European Union warmly welcomes the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Future Status Process for Kosovo, President Martti Ahtisaari, back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive briefing. The European Union fully supports the UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and his efforts in conducting the political process to determine Kosovo's future status. His proposals presented to both parties on 2 February provide comprehensive arrangements designed to promote in Kosovo a multi-ethnic and democratic society based on the rule of law. They include extensive measures to safeguard the future of all communities living in Kosovo, especially the Kosovo Serbs.
20.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament: EU-Statement on use of radiological materials by terrorists. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on use of radiological materials by terrorists. First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr President, on the assumption of the post as the President of the Conference on Disarmament. I can assure you of the European Union’s full support in your efforts to guide the work of this Conference. Allow me also, Mr President, to congratulate Ambassador Draganov of Bulgaria and Ambassador Wibisono of Indonesia on the assumption of the post as Coordinators. The EU would like to assure you, Mister President, as well as all Coordinators, of our full support in your efforts to guide and lead our work under the different agenda items.
20.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament: EU-Statement on a comprehensive programme of disarmament. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr President, on the assumption of the post as the President of the Conference on Disarmament. I can assure you of the European Union’s full support in your efforts to guide the work of this Conference. Allow me also, Mr President, to congratulate Ambassador Draganov of Bulgaria and Ambassador Wibisono of Indonesia on the assumption of the post as Coordinators, for item 5 and item 6 of our agenda, respectively. The EU would like to assure you, Mr President, as well as all Coordinators, of our full support in your efforts to guide and lead our work under the different agenda items.
14.02.2007 28th Session of CTBTO WG B: Statement by the European Union. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland , Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, associate themselves with this statement.
13.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament : Statement on Negative Security Assurances by Ambassador Bernhard Brasack . Madame President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. At the outset, Madame President, allow me to congratulate Ambassador Meyer of Canada and Ambassador da Rocha Paranhos of Brazil on the assumption of the post as Coordinators, for Item 3 and Item 4 of our agenda, respectively. The EU would like to assure you, Madame President, as well as all Coordinators, of our full support in your efforts to guide and lead our work.
13.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament Statement by Ambassador BRASACK , Statement on Negative Security Assurances, Geneva 13 February 2007. The EU welcomes this debate in the CD on Effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, in continuation of last year’s focussed structured debates, dedicated to the issue which remains important on the international disarmament and non-proliferation agenda.
As was already made clear in the EU Common Position of 25 April 2005 on the 2005 NPT Review Conference, by which we stand, the EU is supportive to pursue consideration of the issue of security assurances to the non-nuclear-weapon States Parties to the NPT.
08.02.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on the Death Penalty. On the occasion of the Third World Congress against the Death Penalty held in Paris from 1 - 3 February 2007 the Presidency read out a declaration on behalf of the European Union which, with your indulgence, I would like to quote here in full:
“On the occasion of the Third World Congress against Death Penalty the EU reiterates its longstanding active opposition to the death penalty. The EU is at the forefront of abolitionist efforts around the world and will continue to oppose the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances because it considers the death penalty to be a cruel and inhuman punishment.
07.02.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. Mr. Chairman, the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security has, ever since its adoption in 1994, been a document at the very heart of the OSCE’s politicomilitary dimension, as well as of the OSCE as a whole.
Numerous conferences and seminars on the Code of Conduct have been conducted in the OSCE region and the implementation of the Code was reviewed frequently using the Annual Implementation Meetings and special sessions of the FSC as platform. The recent discussion on the Code focuses on today’s relevance of the Code od Conduct, on the issue of awareness-raising and on the possibilities for improving its implementation. To this end, a number of proposals have been tabled by participating States.
07.02.2007 OSCE: EU Statement on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. Numerous conferences and seminars on the Code of Conduct have been conducted in the OSCE region and the implementation of the Code was reviewed frequently using the Annual Implementation Meetings and special sessions of the FSC as platform. The recent discussion on the Code focuses on today’s relevance of the Code od Conduct, on the issue of awareness-raising and on the possibilities for improving its implementation. To this end, a number of proposals have been tabled by participating States.
06.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament Geneva, 6 February 2007 . Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ambassador Bernhard Brasack
Madame President,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
2. At the outset, Madame President, allow me to congratulate Ambassador Strømmen of Norway and Ambassador Trezza of Italy on their assumption of the post as Coordinator for Item 1 and Item 2 of our Agenda, respectively. The EU would like to assure you, Madame President, as well as all Coordinators, of our full support in your efforts to guide and lead our work.
3. Non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control remain indispensable elements of cooperative security between states.
06.02.2007 Conference on Disarmament Geneva, 6 February 2007. Madame President,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
2. At the outset, Madame President, allow me to congratulate Ambassador Strømmen of Norway and Ambassador Trezza of Italy on the assumption of the post as Coordinators, respectively, for Item 1 and Item 2 of our Agenda. The EU would like to assure you, Madame President, as well as all Coordinators, of our full support in your efforts to guide and lead our work.
Madame President,
3. The CD has been debating the issue of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices (FMCT) for a long time, with a particular intensification of its deliberations during last year’s structured and focussed debates.
02.02.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the Decision on Unified Budget 2007. The EU is pleased that the Unified Budget 2007 has finally been adopted by the Permanent Council, although we consider it unfortunate that the deadline of 20 December, set by PC Decision 553, was not met. We express our thanks to the Chairman of the ACMF, to the Secretariat, especially the Department of Management and Finance, the Institutions, Field Operations and all delegations for the hard work done to avoid further delay.
01.02.2007 OSCE: Statement of the European Union on Media Freedom in Kazakhstan. Freedom of the media is one of the central OSCE commitments in the human dimension. Indeed, media freedom, including the freedom to criticise those in power, even in an outspoken manner, is a hallmark of and a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. It is with concern, therefore, that the EU has learnt of the two-year suspended sentence handed down to Kazakh journalist Kazis Toguzbaev on January 22 on charges of infringement on the honour and dignity of the country’s president brought against him by the National Security Committee under article 318 of the Penal Code. In July 2006 another journalist, Zharsaral Kuanyshalin, was given a similar sentence on charges under the same paragraph of the Penal Code. This raises fears of a negative trend in Kazakhstan in this regard.
01.02.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the Belarus Helsinki Committee. The European Union has taken note of the information just provided by the distinguished Ambassador of Belarus on recent developments in the situation of the Belarus Helsinki Committee.
The EU welcomes the fact that the Presidential Administration’s property management department has signed a new rental agreement with the Belarus Helsinki Committee. We hope that this respected human rights organization will be able to continue its important work without impediment.
15.02.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union in response to the Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre, Ambassador Herbert Salber. The European Union thanks the Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre for his first presentation on the activities of the CPC with a special emphasis on border security and management.
Good border management is conducive to stability and security in the OSCE region. On the other hand, weak border management provides loopholes for terrorism and organized crime and can result in crises and conflicts. There is a direct link therefore, between border security and management and the specific competence of the OSCE in its comprehensive concept of security. This applies in particular to our work to combat threats emanating from terrorism, organized crime and trafficking. These threats to our security should indeed be tackled by using co-operative approaches.
26.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the assassination of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. On 19 January 2007, the Presidency of the European Union released a statement on the assassination of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink which I would like to quote here in full:
“The Presidency was shocked to learn of the assassination of the respected Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul. Hrant Dink was a courageous man whose journalism was marked by his strong commitment to democracy and freedom of expression and who was prepared to take great personal risks for his work. He always strove to present a balanced picture and avoided provoking confrontations. He staunchly supported the democratic reforms in Turkey. As a result, Hrant Dink was held in high esteem in various sections of Turkish society, as well as in Europe.
26.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the Belarus Helsinki Committee. The European Union has learnt with deep regret that the Belarus Helsinki Committee has been ordered by the Presidential Administration’s property management department to vacate its office in Minsk by the end of this week. The Presidential Administration’s department notified the termination of the rental agreement and refused to let other vacant rooms to the Committee. This follows the seizure on 5 December 2006 by Belarusian court authorities of equipment owned by the Belarus Helsinki Committee. The Committee is facing not only eviction from its premises but also the loss of its legal address which could lead to the closure of this, the last remaining human rights NGO registered in Belarus.
26.01.2007 OSCE: Réponse de l’Union européenne au Général Banfi. L'Union européenne souhaite la bienvenue au Général Ferenc Banfi. Elle le remercie d'avoir accepté d'entretenir l'information des Etats participants en venant une deuxième fois au Conseil Permanent depuis la mise en place de la Mission européenne d'assistance à la frontière entre l'Ukraine et la République de Moldavie, pour y présenter une mise à jour de ses activités.
26.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the 2006 Mediterranean Seminar. The EU thanks the Egyptian ambassador for his comprehensive report on the 2006 Mediterranean Seminar and wishes to express its gratitude to Egypt for hosting the Seminar in Sharm El-Sheihk.
The EU attaches special importance to the OSCE’s relations with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, who are also active participants to the Barcelona Process, in order to address common security concerns through cooperation and dialogue.
18.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the local elections in Belarus. The European Union regrets that it has to raise its concerns about the local elections in Belarus held on 14 January 2007. Numerous reports of serious flaws lead us to the conclusion that the Belarusian authorities failed once again to ensure the fundamental conditions for free, fair and transparent elections according to OSCE commitments and other international standards. Representatives of opposition parties were denied access to election commissions. A number of candidates affiliated with opposition parties were not registered or deprived of their registration at a late stage.
18.01.2007 OSCE: Comment by the European Union on the Interpretative Statement by the delegation of Belarus. At the meeting of the Permanent Council on 11 January 2007 the European Union reserved its right to come back to the Interpretative Statement by the delegation of Belarus in connection with the Permanent Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the OSCE Office in Minsk until 31 December 2007 (PC.DEC/775).
The EU does not share the view of the delegation of Belarus that the OSCE Office in Minsk “should focus primary attention on transferring its tasks and experience to Belarusian state institutions”. To narrow the focus of the work of the Office in this way is certainly not in line with its mandate.
18.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the presidential elections in Turkmenistan. The EU has taken note of the announcement of the Presidential elections to be held in Turkmenistan on 11 February 2007 and looks forward to cooperation between relevant Turkmen authorities, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad and the ODIHR in this regard. We appreciate the opportunity provided to the ODIHR to conduct a needs assessment mission on possible election support and will carefully study ODIHR´s report on this mission. In conformity with the Copenhagen Document of 1990, the EU stresses that all elections must be opportunities for the people to freely express their political will.
17.01.2007 OSCE: Statement by the European Union on the Assumption of the Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation by the Republic of Cyprus. The European Union would like to extend a very warm welcome to Cyprus as incoming Chair of the FSC and to Croatia as a new member of the FSC Troika. We, the Member States, express our appreciation for the work done last year under the Chairmanships of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and in particular Canada that gave effective leadership during the FSC preparations for the Ministerial Council. The joint efforts of the FSC Chairs, Co-ordinators, Chefs de File and individual Delegations during 2006 resulted in a very positive outcome, part of it in the form of important decisions endorsed in Brussels.
17.01.2007 Council of Europe: Statement by the Presidency of the EU on the Presentation of the Wise Persons’ Report by its chairman, Rodriguez Iglesias at the 984th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies. Statement by the Presidency of the EU
The Presidency of the EU would like to welcome the final report of the Wise Persons and thank the Wise Persons for their important work as well as their chairperson Mr. Rodriguez Iglesias for his presentation.
The Wise Persons’ report and their recommendations on possible reform measures address the very essential issue of the long term effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights control mechanism. Being one of the core institutions of the Council of Europe, the Court and its well-functioning is one of our central concerns. In view of the ever increasing caseload of the Court there is an urgent need for measures safeguarding the effectiveness and credibility of this key institution for human rights protection in Europe.
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