Minister Pusić to attend OSCE Ministerial Council in Kiev

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić 5 December in Kiev will attend the 20th Ministerial Council of the Organisation of European Security and Cooperation (OSCE)

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić 5 December in Kiev will attend the 20th Ministerial Council of the Organisation of European Security and Cooperation (OSCE), which will mark the end of Ukraine's one-year chairmanship of that organisation.

The meeting will discuss several decisions, notably in regard to the Helsinki+40 process, which refers to the declaration founding the OSCE. Other topics include cooperation with Afghanistan with regard to withdrawing ISAF troops in 2014 and decisions concerning the promotion of human rights.

Pusić will advocate honouring OSCE's fundamental principles and their full implementation as a key to avoiding new divisions. She will also hold several bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conference.

Ukraine's priority during its OSCE chairmanship has been dialogue on the role of conventional weapons control in Europe’s current and future security architecture. Ukraine initiated a supplement to OSCE's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and continued work on the implementation of the decision of the 2012 Dublin ministerial council on transnational threats.

During its OSCE presidency, Ukraine concentrated on reviving existing formats founded on resolving frozen conflicts in the OSCE region (Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh, Transdniestria). It also presented a plan to enhance the implementation of assumed obligations, namely in combating human trafficking, freedom of the press and teaching young people the principles of tolerance and non-discrimination.

The conference is being held amid civil unrest and protests by the opposition in response to President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to postpone signing the EU accession treaty.

Croatia has received the news of the Ukraine government's decision with regret, expressing hope that Ukraine would continue working on implementing reforms and developing relations with the EU.

After Ukraine, Switzerland and Serbia are to take over the joint chairmanship of the OSCE.

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