Outgoing OSCE Minorities Commissioner: Integration key to conflict prevention

VIENNA, 28 June 2007 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, emphasized today the importance of operational conflict prevention in his final speech to the OSCE's Permanent Council, saying the key was promoting integration while respecting diversity.

"I remain convinced about the continuous relevance and the need for this unique institution," Ambassador Ekeus said. "Over the course of past 15 years, it has developed prevention strategies aimed at both short-term crisis diffusion and long-term sustainable peace-building. This experience could be also of relevance in other parts of the world outside of the OSCE area, particularly in the United Nations context."

High Commissioner Ekeus was appointed by the Eighth OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna in November 2000, and his term was extended for another three years in 2004. He steps down on 30 June. His successor is expected to be announced shortly.

Ambassador Ekeus said that promoting integration with respect for diversity was the only effective way to balance the legitimate interest of the state to promote a cohesive society and its obligation to respect minority members' right to their ethnic identity, language, religion and culture.

"My belief is that the basic principle of integration with respect for diversity is relevant for all OSCE countries, as our societies face challenges in dealing with the increasing diversity within our borders," the High Commissioner said at the Permanent Council, the OSCE's main regular decision-making body.

The HCNM has worked across large parts of the OSCE area, including the Baltics, Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.