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Tánaiste to address Ministerial Meeting of the OSCE in Bratislava, Slovakia

The Tánaiste Simon Coveney, T.D., is in Bratislava today to address the 26th Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste reaffirmed Ireland’s full and continued support to the principles and commitments of the OSCE. 

He stated:

Our national experience with conflict and peace informs our commitment to multilateralism. We have agreed a rules-based security order is the only method by which we can assure peace in our region. Building on this experience, Ireland is further developing our global footprint. We recognise that we must play our part in addressing conflicts which affect Europe, and indeed have global significance. That is why we are committed to working with the OSCE to ensure it has the resources required to do the job of building peace, democracy and economic and social development.

He also highlighted the work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as another essential part of developing peace and security in a way that is meaningful to the average citizen. 

In Ireland, we have experienced the value of communities and civil society being consulted in the building of sustainable peace. We know that, without their active participation, there is no fully realisable concept of security.

The Tánaiste will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from a wide range of countries in Europe and Central Asia on issues of mutual interest and concern.

 

Notes for Editors:

  • The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an intergovernmental regional security organisation comprising 57 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America.
  • A unique feature of the OSCE is that it embraces a comprehensive concept of security addressed across three ‘dimensions’: Politico-military; Economic and Environmental; and Human.