OSCE Troika and Secretary General meet during UN General Assembly

NEW YORK, 23 September 2022 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau, Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde, and Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, representing the OSCE Troika and the Organization’s Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid met on the margins of the 77th session of UN General Assembly.

During the meeting, they discussed Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Expressing their unwavering support for Ukraine, the Ministers and Secretary General Schmid reviewed details of the support for Ukraine announced in August, which is meant to help address the immediate threats and risks posed by the war as well as to support Ukrainian institutions and civil society organizations in developing Ukraine’s long-term democratic and social resilience.

In the face of further threats from the Russian Federation, the Ministers and Secretary General Schmid reiterated their call for the Russian Federation to end aggression, withdraw its forces from Ukraine, and comply with OSCE principles, including respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and refraining from the use or threat of force. They deplored the appalling violence against civilians and stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice.

They further discussed the impact of the war across the OSCE region, including the economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges posed not only in the immediate neighborhood but in Central Asia, Southeastern Europe, and beyond.

The recent escalation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan was also a focus of the meeting. The Troika Ministers and Secretary General discussed possibilities for stronger OSCE involvement in the area. They agreed on the relevance of the peace talks facilitated by the EU and recalled the experience and tools of the OSCE in the region.

The Ministers and Secretary General Schmid addressed the recent armed clashes at the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, urging the parties to respect the ceasefire and stabilize the situation through diplomatic solutions. They stressed that the OSCE remains ready to assist if requested.

Bearing in mind the important work of the Organization in supporting and advancing comprehensive security, the Troika Ministers and Secretary General underlined the need for adoption of the OSCE’s budget. They welcomed the priorities of the incoming OSCE Chairmanship of North Macedonia, which are focused on safeguarding OSCE principles and commitments. The Ministers and Secretary General also discussed the preparations for the OSCE Ministerial Council to be held in the city of Łódź, Poland on 1-2 December.