Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
OSCE's role in conflict settlement should increase, according to Didier Burkhalter, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss President and Foreign Minister.
Burkhalter made the remarks on June 28 at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 28 and will last until July 2.
He said that in this regard, it is important to increase the OSCE representative offices' activity on the ground.
Burkhalter also expressed satisfaction with resumption of contacts at the level of heads of state in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
He said that in order to strengthen the OSCE, it is necessary to adhere to the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act.
The OSCE chairperson-in-office also supported the association of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine with the EU.
"We must ensure the security of future generations. Therefore, we try to bring together East and West," he said.
Touching upon the situation in Ukraine, Burkhalter said the OSCE observers' efforts in the country are aimed at overcoming the crisis.
"Territorial integrity, security and human rights are priorities for the OSCE. The organization does not take sides, but rather urges the conflict parties to engage in dialogue," Burkhalter stressed.
He also said the OSCE monitoring mission in Ukraine is carried out with the consent of 57 OSCE member countries, adding that the organization plays an important role in settling the crisis in the country.
"I welcome Ukrainian president's decision to extend the ceasefire. The conflict must be settled peacefully. Those who are guilty of serious human rights violations must be punished. But first of all we should strive for peace," he added.
OSCE chairman-in-office also said the organization carries out intensive work in Ukraine.
"We must continue our efforts for the conflict in Ukraine to end," Burkhalter stressed.