The Helsinki principles have not lost their validity, says Chairperson Dačić while addressing Panel of Eminent Persons in Belgrade

BELGRADE, 2 October 2015 – The crisis in and around Ukraine has underscored the enduring relevance and the need to reaffirm, strengthen and safeguard the Helsinki principles, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today in Belgrade as he addressed the Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security as a Common Project.

“In today’s circumstances, it is extremely difficult to strengthen again European security as a joint project,” said Dačić. “Yet it is clear that there remains strong interest among participating States in continuing this kind of a dialogue beyond 2015, taking into account lessons learned from Helsinki +40, as well as the findings of this Panel”.

“What we need is fresh and innovative ideas. The Panel’s interim report has already provided a number of valuable recommendations to help solve the challenges we face, looking into possibilities of broadening our efforts, tackling complexity of the OSCE’s work,” said Dačić, underlining Serbia’s strong support for Panel’s work.

The Panel of Eminent Persons, which has gathered in Belgrade for consultations, is chaired by Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairperson of the Munich Security Conference, and mandated to advise on how to reconsolidate European security as a common project. The Panel’s final report with recommendations will be released on the eve of 22nd Ministerial Council in Belgrade.