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12.12.2012

Belarus wants to see OSCE transform into full-fledged international organization

MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) - Belarus is in favor of the reformation of the OSCE and its transformation into a full-fledged international organization, Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei said in an interview with the Union State Magazine.

“Belarus does not only support Russia in its effort to improve the OSCE activities but also together with Russia has initiated this process. We have been doing this job for more than 10 years. Transformation of the OSCE into a full-fledged international organization acting in the interests of all Member States is a priority of our foreign policy. We actively cooperate with Russia on this issue, and discuss this topic in the course of joint meetings and consultations ".

According to Vladimir Makei, the theme of enhancing the OSCE is much broader than the reformation of the OSCE/ODIHR. "These include the transformation of the OSCE into a truly international organization with its Charter, enhancement of the OSCE's institutions and field presences, changing the working methods in the field of human dimension, adoption of a number of decisions regarding the uniform rules for appointment to the OSCE senior positions, strengthening the consensus nature of the organization. This is a great set of issues requiring careful consideration,” he stressed.

"However, the reform of the OSCE/ODIHR is topical because it affects our countries directly. We feel that double standards are applied to the countries situated "east of Vienna" (OSCE headquarters). Therefore, the issues of reforming the OSCE/ODIHR, the election observation systems are fundamental for the future reform of the organization," the Foreign Minister said.

Vladimir Makei noted that the work on promotion of the idea of the OSCE reform is also carried out within the framework of the various integration associations in the post-Soviet space, among which the CSTO and CIS.

“Certain progress has already been made. For instance, the current Irish chairmanship has undertaken a number of measures to improve the activity of the organization in the human dimension. This activity should focus on the current problems in all OSCE member states, not only the countries pointed by the leadership of the organization. Among them are usually post-Soviet countries,” the minister said.

“Of course we have no illusions about quick changes in the OSCE, but we are determined to work hard, first of all together will our closest ally Russia, for improvements in the organization,” Vladimir Makei added.