Statement by Ms. Kristiina Ojuland, Foreign Minister of Estonia, at the 11th OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting
Maastricht, December 1-2, 2003
Mr. Chairman,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to touch upon three topics relevant for the security agenda of the 21st century. First, I will address threats of the 21st century and the global fight against terrorism, second, the interface between the OSCE and our region - the Council of the Baltic Sea states where Estonia is currently holding the chairmanship, and third, classical OSCE security challenges that we face particularly today.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Last year in Porto we launched the development of a strategy addressing the threats to security and stability in the twenty-first century, aimed at adapting the OSCE to the rapidly evolving political, security and economic environment.
Estonia is pleased with the result achieved in defining the way forward. The strategy is well placed to give a new impetus to the undertakings in the fields where concrete action is needed, most notably in our fight against terrorism and combating organized crime, but also promoting good governance and human security. We can build on that.
The recent events in Baghdad and Istanbul have yet again underscored the need to work together within the OSCE region, and beyond, in order to address the threats that undermine the very foundations of our societies. Despite our consistent efforts terrorism remains a persistent threat to individual, regional and global security. We must counter it by drawing on the unique strength of the OSCE, its ability to respond to developments that cut across all dimensions of security. Estonia welcomes the organisation of the First Annual Security Review Conference that provides a useful framework for reviewing, and where needed, reshaping our response to this end.
The OSCE is devoting increasingly more attention to the economic and environmental issues as witnessed by the adoption of the new OSCE Strategy for the Economic and Environmental Dimension. The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) too focuses particular attention to the environmental aspect of security. In my capacity as the Chairman of the Council of the Baltic Sea States I would like to draw your attention to concrete initiatives in this field.
The Baltic Sea remains one of the most vulnerable marine environments in the world. Considering the region’s growth forecasts, we must not only maintain, but also increase our efforts to remedy the damage done to the Baltic Sea. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all CBSS Member States support the initiative to declare the Baltic Sea a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area.
The navigation on the Baltic Sea is constantly increasing due to expanding economic activity. Considering this increase, in particular the growing tanker traffic, it is vital that the use of single-hull tankers be terminated in the Baltic Sea before the worst apprehensions come true.
I would also like to use this opportunity to highlight the fight against trafficking in human beings as one of the priorities of Estonia’s Chairmanship of the CBSS. I would particularly stress my deep concern for women and children that are victims of trafficking. The Nordic and Baltic States have established a Nordic-Baltic task Force against Trafficking and have decided to develop National Action Plans. In the framework of the CBSS each Member State has appointed a National Contact Point to better coordinate the work against trafficking in children.
Now we must invest in practical implementation of the plan as well as the OSCE Action Plan, where we can draw, among others, on the experience of the ODIHR.
Mr. Chairman
We all agree that OSCE is a key instrument in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict resolution in the area. This agreement is duly reflected in the 21st Century Security Strategy we are about to adopt. In this respect I would draw your attention to the acute issues in the OSCE area.
We regret that the Russian Federation has failed to comply with the commitments undertaken 4 years ago in Istanbul. This has an adverse impact on the situation with regard to frozen conflicts in the OSCE area.
The situation in Moldova is of particular concern. The expectations of an early, orderly and complete withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from Trans-Dnestria have not been met. This is to be regarded as a major source of instability. Little headways has been made on the political settlement, which would pave the way for a durable and lasting peace and create conditions for the political and economic revival of the Moldovan nation. We need a solid agreement that would enjoy the support of both the Moldovan people and the international community.
Mr. Chairman, the credibility of the OSCE is even more at stake today in Georgia. We salute the peaceful and democratic solution of the recent crisis. Now the efforts of the Georgian authorities to stabilize the situation should be backed by the unequivocal support of the OSCE. Our commitment to the territorial integrity of and support to the forthcoming elections and subsequent reforms in Georgia is a real test for the OSCE.
Finally, I would like to thank the Dutch chairmanship and the Chairman-in-Office, Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, for guiding us through this year and wish the best to Bulgaria for the year to come.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to touch upon three topics relevant for the security agenda of the 21st century. First, I will address threats of the 21st century and the global fight against terrorism, second, the interface between the OSCE and our region - the Council of the Baltic Sea states where Estonia is currently holding the chairmanship, and third, classical OSCE security challenges that we face particularly today.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Last year in Porto we launched the development of a strategy addressing the threats to security and stability in the twenty-first century, aimed at adapting the OSCE to the rapidly evolving political, security and economic environment.
Estonia is pleased with the result achieved in defining the way forward. The strategy is well placed to give a new impetus to the undertakings in the fields where concrete action is needed, most notably in our fight against terrorism and combating organized crime, but also promoting good governance and human security. We can build on that.
The recent events in Baghdad and Istanbul have yet again underscored the need to work together within the OSCE region, and beyond, in order to address the threats that undermine the very foundations of our societies. Despite our consistent efforts terrorism remains a persistent threat to individual, regional and global security. We must counter it by drawing on the unique strength of the OSCE, its ability to respond to developments that cut across all dimensions of security. Estonia welcomes the organisation of the First Annual Security Review Conference that provides a useful framework for reviewing, and where needed, reshaping our response to this end.
The OSCE is devoting increasingly more attention to the economic and environmental issues as witnessed by the adoption of the new OSCE Strategy for the Economic and Environmental Dimension. The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) too focuses particular attention to the environmental aspect of security. In my capacity as the Chairman of the Council of the Baltic Sea States I would like to draw your attention to concrete initiatives in this field.
The Baltic Sea remains one of the most vulnerable marine environments in the world. Considering the region’s growth forecasts, we must not only maintain, but also increase our efforts to remedy the damage done to the Baltic Sea. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all CBSS Member States support the initiative to declare the Baltic Sea a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area.
The navigation on the Baltic Sea is constantly increasing due to expanding economic activity. Considering this increase, in particular the growing tanker traffic, it is vital that the use of single-hull tankers be terminated in the Baltic Sea before the worst apprehensions come true.
I would also like to use this opportunity to highlight the fight against trafficking in human beings as one of the priorities of Estonia’s Chairmanship of the CBSS. I would particularly stress my deep concern for women and children that are victims of trafficking. The Nordic and Baltic States have established a Nordic-Baltic task Force against Trafficking and have decided to develop National Action Plans. In the framework of the CBSS each Member State has appointed a National Contact Point to better coordinate the work against trafficking in children.
Now we must invest in practical implementation of the plan as well as the OSCE Action Plan, where we can draw, among others, on the experience of the ODIHR.
Mr. Chairman
We all agree that OSCE is a key instrument in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict resolution in the area. This agreement is duly reflected in the 21st Century Security Strategy we are about to adopt. In this respect I would draw your attention to the acute issues in the OSCE area.
We regret that the Russian Federation has failed to comply with the commitments undertaken 4 years ago in Istanbul. This has an adverse impact on the situation with regard to frozen conflicts in the OSCE area.
The situation in Moldova is of particular concern. The expectations of an early, orderly and complete withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment from Trans-Dnestria have not been met. This is to be regarded as a major source of instability. Little headways has been made on the political settlement, which would pave the way for a durable and lasting peace and create conditions for the political and economic revival of the Moldovan nation. We need a solid agreement that would enjoy the support of both the Moldovan people and the international community.
Mr. Chairman, the credibility of the OSCE is even more at stake today in Georgia. We salute the peaceful and democratic solution of the recent crisis. Now the efforts of the Georgian authorities to stabilize the situation should be backed by the unequivocal support of the OSCE. Our commitment to the territorial integrity of and support to the forthcoming elections and subsequent reforms in Georgia is a real test for the OSCE.
Finally, I would like to thank the Dutch chairmanship and the Chairman-in-Office, Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, for guiding us through this year and wish the best to Bulgaria for the year to come.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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