Danish Foreign Minister Kofod reiterates call on Belarus to respect human rights at the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm
Statement of H.E. Jeppe Kofod, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, at the 28th Ministerial Council on 2-3 December 2021 in Stockholm
Madame Chairperson,
The OSCE – as a vehicle for building mutual understanding and trust – is key in addressing current and future challenges to European security.
Regrettably, our shared commitments and principles are being challenged every day.
Recent reports of Russian military build-up at the border with Ukraine raises tensions and is cause for serious concern. Denmark stands firmly behind the need for full implementation of the Minsk agreements and the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
We also underline our full support to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. SMM must have unimpeded access throughout Ukraine. We strongly condemn any action that puts its monitors and assets at risk.
We also maintain our unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We urge Russia to fully assume its responsibility as a party to the conflict.
Madame Chairperson,
Thank you for promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda and gender equality as a cornerstone to the comprehensive security concept.
30 years ago, when the OSCE adopted the landmark Moscow Document, we agreed that the protection and promotion of human rights is one of the basic pillars of the international order.
We also agreed to review our Human Dimension commitments with civil society organizations – every year.
I strongly regret that consensus has not been reached on holding the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting this year.
We reiterate our call on Belarus to respect the commitments that we all as members of the OSCE have voluntarily signed up to.
The violence and repression by the Belarusian authorities against its own people must end now and perpetrators must be held accountable.
Madame Chairperson,
Two of the three main pillars of the conventional arms control architecture are eroding.
The remaining pillar – the Vienna Document – is only partially implemented by some participating States.
The time has come to look for new solutions for future conventional arms control and CSBM’s.
Denmark is certainly willing to play its part.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly thank our Chairperson-in-Office, Ann Linde, and her team, for their dedicated work throughout 2021.
We look forward to cooperate with the incoming Polish Chair, and reiterate our support for the Estonian candidature for the 2024 Chairpersonship, although one participating State is still unable to join consensus on that decision. .
Finally, we would like to congratulate Finland for gaining consensus on their candidature for 2025, at we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.
Thank you.”