Malta has taken a historic step by assuming the Chairpersonship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the first time.

Foreign Minister Ian Borg, who was formally appointed as chairman-in-office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), acknowledged the challenging times and stressed the importance of upholding the principles outlined in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris. He affirmed Malta’s Chairpersonship dedication to reciprocal trust, emphasising that the shared obligations agreed upon by all participating states are not optional.

The Chairpersonship’s priorities include a resolute commitment to addressing Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Borg condemned recent intensified attacks and called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognised borders.

Malta’s engagement in the OSCE is guided by three core considerations: the imperative need for global peace, the role as a bridge between East and West, and a steadfast commitment to multilateralism. Borg highlighted Malta’s unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Africa.

 

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The Chairpersonship will actively contribute to resolving protracted conflicts across the OSCE region, with a focus on Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. Efforts will be made to support field operations in various regions and strengthen national capacities.

Malta aims to ensure the OSCE’s functionality and address leadership challenges. The Chairpersonship intends to build on North Macedonia’s success in keeping the region’s people at the centre of OSCE initiatives. Borg emphasised an inclusive approach to security, incorporating gender mainstreaming and increased youth engagement.

In light of Malta’s concurrent membership in the UN Security Council, the Chairpersonship seeks to identify constructive synergies between the two multilateral institutions, particularly on issues related to peace and security. Initiatives to strengthen resilience against cyber threats, address transnational threats, and promote compliance with arms control commitments are also on the agenda.

The Chairpersonship will pay attention to bridging digital divides, promoting access to digital technologies, and addressing climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. Additionally, efforts to combat violence against women, human trafficking, and initiatives on media literacy and journalist safety, especially for female journalists, are prioritised.

Malta’s commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms remains unwavering. The Chairpersonship calls on participating states to honour their commitments and invites the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe their elections.

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Minister Ian Borg, currently presiding over the permanent council meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has outlined a comprehensive agenda highlighting key priorities and commitments.

At the forefront is addressing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Russia’s immediate withdrawal. The resolution of protracted conflicts, particularly in Eastern Europe, is a priority, with a focus on utilizing the OSCE’s toolkit for political solutions.

Borg emphasizes supporting field operations across regions and enhancing engagement with host authorities. Ensuring the OSCE’s functionality and leadership is vital, with a call for collaboration on a solid Unified Budget and ensuring durable leadership beyond September 4th, 2024.

The inclusive approach to security involves mainstreaming gender and engaging youth in discussions. Collaboration with other multilateral institutions, particularly Malta’s parallel Chairpersonship of the OSCE and its UN Security Council membership, is crucial for promoting peace and security.

Efforts against cyber threats, transnational threats, bridging digital divides, and climate cooperation are also highlighted. Commitments to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are reiterated, including initiatives on media literacy, safety of journalists, and combating violence against women and human trafficking.

The agenda commemorates milestones, reflecting on principles, and maintaining principled engagement across dimensions. Strengthening the resilience of the organization is a fundamental goal for a secure and peaceful future. Ian Borg’s agenda demonstrates a commitment to addressing diverse challenges and fostering collaboration for a more secure world.

Here are the aims in more detail:

Commitment to Addressing Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine:

– Keeping Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine at the top of the OSCE agenda.

– Demanding Russia’s full, unconditional, and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

Resolution of Protracted Conflicts:

– Prioritising the OSCE’s role in resolving protracted conflicts across the region.

– Using the OSCE’s toolkit and expertise to facilitate political solutions in Eastern Europe, particularly mentioning the Transdniestrian Settlement Process and the South Caucasus.

Support for Field Operations:

– Providing support to OSCE Field Operations in Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

– Strengthening engagement with host authorities and supporting work in the field to enhance national capacities.

Ensuring OSCE’s Functionality and Leadership:

– Emphasising the need for a sustainable and predictable future for the organisation.

– Urging collaboration for consensus on a solid Unified Budget.

Ensuring durable leadership beyond September 4th, 2024.

Inclusive Approach to Security:

– Incorporating an inclusive approach to security by mainstreaming gender and engaging youth in discussions.

Collaboration with Other Multilateral Institutions:

– Building on Malta’s parallel Chairpersonship of the OSCE and elected membership of the UN Security Council.

– Identifying synergies between the OSCE and the UN in promoting peace and security.

Addressing Cyber Threats and Transnational Threats:

– Renewing efforts to strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

– Addressing transnational threats and promoting compliance with conventional arms control commitments.

Bridging Digital Divides and Promoting Climate Cooperation:

– Paying attention to bridging digital divides and promoting wider access to digital technologies and skills.

– Pursuing closer cooperation on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.

Commitment to Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law:

– Calling on participating States to honour their commitments and inviting ODIHR to observe elections.

– Standing against any form of exploitation of the weak by the strong.

Initiatives on Media Literacy and Safety of Journalists:

– Pushing forward initiatives on media literacy and the safety of journalists, especially female journalists, both online and offline.

Combating Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking:

– Actively engaging in efforts to combat violence against women and trafficking in human beings.

Honouring and Sustaining Strategic Vision:

– Honouring and sustaining the strategic vision, including hosting the Mediterranean Conference, building on the principle of no European security without Mediterranean security.

Commemorating Milestones and Reflecting on Principles:

– Recognising and commemorating Malta’s milestones of 60 years as an independent nation, 50 years as a Republic, and 20 years as a member of the European Union.

– Emphasising the need for the organisation to remain anchored in principles and commitments agreed upon 50 years ago.

Maintaining Principled Engagement Across Dimensions:

– Maintaining the organisation’s principled engagement across the three dimensions of its comprehensive approach to security.

Strengthening Resilience of the Organisation:

– Leaving no stone unturned in strengthening the resilience of the organisation and its people for a secure and peaceful future.

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Photo Source: MFET