From 31 July to 1 August, an Estonian delegation took part in a high-level conference in Helsinki, Finland, marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, as well as the meeting of political directors of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The delegation was led by Martin Roger, Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conference organised by the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship recalled and reaffirmed the principles endorsed by the Helsinki Final Act 50 years ago: ensuring the sovereignty of states, including the right to choose their own security arrangements and alliances; territorial integrity; the inviolability of frontiers; refraining from the threat or use of force; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and fulfilment of obligations under international law. The conference underlined that the founding principles of the OSCE continue to apply – today and in the future – despite the fact that one participating state, the Russian Federation, has violated all of them.
The aim of the meeting of the political directors, held on the sidelines of the conference, was to discuss the functioning of the OSCE and the protection and implementation of the principles of the Helsinki Final Act in a constructive and forward-looking manner. Undersecretary Roger stressed that it is important for Estonia that the activities of the OSCE remain in line with the founding values of the organisation, as making concessions would pose an existential threat to the security of both Estonia and Europe as a whole.
Finland, which is chairing the OSCE in 2025, has launched a broad-based discussion on the future of the organisation. The outcome of the discussion will be made public at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna in December.
From May to September this year, Estonia holds the chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC), where the main focus has been on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
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