Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 9 July 2019 attended an OSCE informal ministerial meeting, held in the High Tatras under Slovakia’s chairmanship. Ministers discussed security challenges including the situation in Ukraine, conflict prevention and strengthening the efficiency of multilateralism.
Addressing the meeting, Pejčinović Burić underlined the importance of high-level political dialogue. She expressed concern over the situation in Ukraine, adding that stability and security could only be achieved by respecting international law and standards. The minister supported the work of a special monitoring mission in Ukraine and noted the difficult conditions it operates in. She also referred to the situation in the southern Caucuses and Transnistria, as well as the alarming trend of growing distrust among countries.
Pejčinović Burić underscored the need to enhance cooperation with the chief multilateral stakeholders, which is one of the main principles of the European Union Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy, which is something Croatia advocates as a member of the EU Trio. She also stressed the importance of cooperation between OSCE and the Council of Europe, since both share the same goals: the security and stability of Europe based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Pejčinović Burić held bilateral talks with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier and Kazakh Foreign Minister Beibut Atamkulov.