Participants at 11th high-level "2+2/3+3" Council of Europe/OSCE meeting issue joint declaration
VADUZ, 30 October 2001 (OSCE) - The following joint declaration was issued today by the participants at the 11th high-level "2+2/3+3" meeting, which took place yesterday and today in Vaduz, Liechtenstein:
"The Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, the Foreign Minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ernst Walch, and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office (CiO), represented by the Secretary of State for Multilateral Affairs of the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Mihnea Motoc, the Secretaries General of both Organisations, Walter Schwimmer and Jan Kubis, as well as the Presidents of the respective Parliamentary Assemblies, Lord Russell- Johnston and Adrian Severin, met on 30 October 2001 in Vaduz for the 11th High-level "2+2/3+3" Meeting.
"Participants focused on topical issues of common interest to the Council of Europe and the OSCE, including first of all the fight against terrorism, the current situation in South-East Europe (notably developments in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including the forthcoming elections in Kosovo), in Belarus (after the presidential elections in September 2001) and developments in the Caucasus with special emphasis on the situation in Georgia (with regard to the Abkhazia conflict) and in the Chechen Republic, Russian Federation.
"Co-operation between the two Organisations in other regions and fields of interests was also discussed.
"Participants evaluated the situation after the tragic events of 11 September in the United States which were an attack on the values upheld by both Organisations. They condemned these acts of unparalleled violence and reaffirmed their determination to reinforce international co-operation in combating all forms of terrorism, working in partnership, wherever appropriate, with other international organisations and making the best use of their comparative advantages and special assets. Participants agreed to undertake joint efforts in addressing the root causes of terrorism, including through multicultural and inter-religious dialogue. They underlined their solidarity with the international coalition to fight terrorism and its supporters.
"The Council of Europe drew attention to the intention of the Committee of Ministers to adopt at their forthcoming session on 7-8 November 2001 in Strasbourg a Communiqué on international action against Terrorism and to set up a Multidisciplinary Group on international action against terrorism. Measures to be envisaged by the Organisation would include adapting existing legal instruments, elaborating new ones and setting up coherent co-operation in this field. The Council of Europe would further provide expert advice on compatibility with human rights standards of draft anti-terrorism legislation and expand activities to reduce tensions and radicalisation in our societies.
"The OSCE intends to adopt at its Ministerial Council in Bucharest on 3-4 December a Ministerial Statement and Action Plan on Combating Terrorism focussing, inter alia, on preventive action and co-operation with other international organisations. It will also organise a "Bishkek International Conference on Enhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia: Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts to Counter Terrorism", in the Kyrgyz Republic, on 13-14 December 2001, in co-operation with UN ODCCP.
"Particular attention was paid to the current situation in South Eastern Europe. Representatives of both Organisations underlined the crucial importance of determined and rapid implementation of the Framework Agreement on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia without vacillations and noted the continuous readiness of both Organisations to support it, inter alia, through the activities of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission in Skopje. Participants welcomed joint efforts of the OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO and EU in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. They agreed that only by respecting European standards a long-term solution to the problems could be achieved. They reaffirmed their commitment to monitor the preparation and the conduct of the population census in this country, planned for April 2002.
"Participants noted with satisfaction the commitment by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to promote legal and democratic reforms and to bring itself into line with European standards and values. The Council of Europe and OSCE encouraged the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to continue its democratic reforms and to intensify its co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia as an essential step to the future accession to the Council of Europe. Both Organisations would continue to pursue joint action to develop co-operation and assistance programmes to facilitate the democratic reform process in this country. Participants praised efforts promoting stability and development in Southern Serbia, in particular multi-ethnic police training supported by the OSCE.
"The Council of Europe and OSCE underlined the importance of holding free and fair elections in Kosovo on 17 November 2001 and of observation of these elections by representatives of the Council of Europe and OSCE Parliamentary Assemblies, ODIHR and the European Parliament. Special attention was paid to developments in and around Kosovo, aimed at assuring full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The OSCE has played an important role in preparing the elections, inter alia, in the voter registration process. They welcomed the results of the work of the Observation mission set up by the Council of Europe at the request of the UN Mission in Kosovo and OSCE to monitor the electoral process. Participants expressed the conviction that these elections will be a major factor for democratisation, peace, stability and economic recovery in the whole region. They called on the people of Kosovo -and especially on the Kosovo Serbs - to take part in these elections.
"The situation in the Chechen Republic, Russian Federation, remains a matter of serious concern. Representatives of both Organisations reiterated their call for a political solution of the conflict through dialogue and respect for human rights. The Council of Europe and OSCE representatives welcomed the return of the OSCE Assistance Group and the on-going work of the Joint Working Group on Chechnya set up by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Russian State Duma which has initiated consultations on the political settlement to the conflict. The Council of Europe informed participants about the extension of the mandate of its consultative experts in Mr Kalamanov's Office in Znamenskoye until the end of 2001. Representatives of both Organisations confirmed their commitment to co-operation and complementary action in Chechnya, particularly through the OSCE Assistance Group and the Council of Europe experts as well as multi-faceted activities of ODIHR.
"With regard to the situation in Georgia, participants expressed their deep concern about the recent escalation and military actions in Abkhazia and stressed the need to preserve the territorial integrity of Georgia. They expected the parties involved to refrain from the use of force and to resolve persisting tensions through political dialogue.
"They also urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to pursue the search for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, assisted by the co-chairmen of the Minsk Group. They emphasised the need to avoid any step back from the path towards a peaceful solution. The Council of Europe was ready to provide assistance to the Minsk Group on legal aspects of a solution to the conflict through its Venice Commission. Participants welcomed the arrangement made by the Council of Europe and the OSCE for the presence of Council of Europe Human Rights and Rule of Law Coordinators in the OSCE Offices in Baku and Yerevan respectively.
"Participants also called upon the countries of the Southern Caucasus to fully respect human rights, freedom of the media and to promote good governance. The Council of Europe in particular mentioned its report on cases of alleged political prisoners in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"With reference to the situation in Belarus, both Organisations have been following developments very closely, particularly those related to the Presidential elections on 9 September 2001. Participants agreed that these elections failed to meet OSCE and Council of Europe standards. However, they underlined that international isolation of Belarus is not in the interest of the people of Belarus and should be reconsidered, provided the authorities adopt concrete steps and measures on the path of democratic reform and genuine dialogue with the opposition. Participants also encouraged the development of a strong civil society.
"Both Organisations reiterated the importance of joint action with regard to Ukraine, and in co-operation with it, especially in the field of freedom of the media. The Council of Europe action plan for media and additional assistance activities were welcomed by participants."