PRESS RELEASE : Russia must end its war and re-engage with the Forum for Security Co-operation – UK statement to the OSCE [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2024.
Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, thanks Denmark as the incoming Chair for upholding the Forum’s mandate of holding a weekly politico-military dialogue, including on risk reduction.
Thank you, Mr Chair, and to the Foreign Minister for setting out Denmark’s priorities for the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) this Trimester. You can count on the UK’s full support, as you execute the mandate of this Forum at this important time for European Security.
As we return from the Summer break, the Ukrainian people have had no respite. Today marks 930 days of their ongoing defence of their homeland, from an invasion which continues to violate the UN Charter and to contravene the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles. Principles including those on sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force.
That is why each week, we have met in the Forum to support Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable. And that is why we welcome Denmark’s proposed FSC agenda topics, on the Code of Conduct, the Helsinki Decalogue and on Women, Peace & Security. These issues remain pertinent for our Euro-Atlantic region.
Mr Chair, the UK continues to support the Forum. Our Ministers mandated the Forum to hold a weekly politico-military dialogue, with tasks that include risk-reduction. They mandated the Chair to ‘ensure the good order and smooth running of meetings’. To set the agenda. And to select and invite guest speakers. We support the Chair’s prerogative to execute these tasks.
Unfortunately, at the closing session last Trimester, we had to condemn the Russian delegation – for a third Trimester in a row – for its attempts to undermine FSC meetings. Russia did not join consensus not only the formal FSC Security Dialogues, but also the standard weekly FSC sessions. Russia demanded exceptional treatment, without any basis in the Rules of Procedure and without articulating any issues with the mandated Agenda.
As we said last time, there remains another path. Russia claims that it wants peace. Peace is in its gift – by withdrawing all of its forces to outside of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders. Russia claims that it is serious about dialogue and risk reduction. If that is true, it must re-engage seriously and professionally with an FSC that meets, as mandated by our Ministers, each week.
I wish to conclude by welcoming Spain to the FSC Troika, and to thank Cyprus for their work as they leave the Troika. And most importantly, I wish you, Mr Chair, and your able teams here in Vienna and in Copenhagen the best of luck this Trimester. You can count on the continued full support of the UK delegation.
