OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan concludes with decisions in OSCE’s politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions

MILAN, Italy, 7 December 2018 – Decisions and declarations all across three of the OSCE’s security dimensions – the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions – were agreed by OSCE participating States at close of the 25th OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan today.

On cross-dimensional issues, there was a declaration on enhancing security and co-operation in the Mediterranean, decisions on preventing and combating violence against women, and countering the trafficking of children, particularly unaccompanied minors, and a declaration recognizing the contribution of youth to peace and security efforts.

There was also a declaration supporting the continuing progress in the negotiations on the Transdniestrian Settlement Process in the ‘5+2’ Format.

In the politico-military dimension, states agreed to further their support for the OSCE’s work in addressing the threat posed by small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition.

In the economic and environmental dimension, there was a declaration recognizing the digital economy as a driver for co-operation, security and growth, and a decision on how to develop human capital in the digital era.

The decision on enhancing the safety of journalists became the first decision to be adopted by states in the human dimension since 2014.

Earlier during the Ministerial Council it was agreed that Albania will chair the OSCE in 2020.