EU/OSCE: EU Statement on Strengthening the Organisation and increasing its relevance for the participating StatesThe European Union welcomes the process initiated by the Romanian Chairman-in-Office aimed at strengthening the OSCE and further increasing its relevance.This process should build on the existing strengths and flexibility of the OSCE. These are in particular its extensive field presence, its professional institutions and Secretariat, which have been developed during the last years. This positive development must also be recognized during the ongoing discussions on how to further improve the work of OSCE. Our discussions should furthermore be based on the important achievements at the Istanbul summit: The Charter for European Security, including the Platform, and the Istanbul declaration. Priority should be given to result-oriented political dialogue and co-operation
between all OSCE participating States. We believe that increased transparency
and reformed working methods can contribute to this objective, and we
welcome the steps already taken by the CiO to this effect. For instance,
concluding statements in the Permanent Council by the Chair, reflecting
the discussion and giving clear guidance to the visiting Heads of Missions,
are positive innovations, as are efforts to arrive at declarations of
the Permanent Council, when appropriate. We look forward to the discussion today. The CiO can
rest assured that the European Union will make an active contribution
in the coming months leading up to the Bucharest Ministerial Meeting.
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