Oostenrijks voorzitterschap pleit voor nauwere samenwerking tussen EU en OVSE (en)

Foreign Minister's speech at the Permanent Council of the OSCE

The European Union should mesh more closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in order to promote the peaceful interaction of all the participating States and to strengthen their confidence in the OSCE: this was the core message of the speech Foreign Minister Plassnik gave at the Permanent Council of the OSCE.

"In spite of their differences, the EU and OSCE have in common the fact that they are communities based on values. Their interests and goals in terms of political stability and fostering democracy and human rights in Europe coincide to a large extent", the Foreign Minister said.

"During our Presidency of the EU and beyond, we will endeavour in accord with the other Member States to further strengthen the cooperation between the OSCE and the European Union," Plassnik declared.

According to the Minister, combating terrorism and trafficking in human beings, cooperation in the political-military dimension of the OSCE and the rule of law were specific areas for greater cooperation. Another important theme was election observation, where she described the work of the ODIHR as exemplary. "Free citizens must have the right to take their decisions in free and fair elections", the Minister stressed.

Plassnik referred also to the human dimension of the OSCE's work and the shared concern to combat discrimination on national, ethnic, religious or racial grounds.

"I stress this point at this particular time, where many people in the Muslim world feel offended in their religious convictions by publications in European and also other media. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are of course very central values in our society and worth protecting. Comments and actions that disparage a religion in an offensive manner are, however, to be clearly condemned", she stressed.

Against the background of the worrying escalation in this matter over the last few days, the Council of the EU had on Monday also rejected threats directed at EU citizens by militant groups, Plassnik added.

"Because Austria takes respect for religious sentiments very seriously, we regard dialogue as the best way of promoting mutual respect, building bridges and clearing up misunderstandings. The dialogue of cultures is taking place every day. It must be conducted responsibly and prudently and it is not only a task for every individual, but also for organisations like the EU and the OSCE."