STATEMENT in response to the Chair of the Security Committee

02 May, 2019

STATEMENT
In response to the Chair of the Security Committee
as delivered by Ambassador Armen Papikyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia,
at the 1226thmeeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
May 2, 2019

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to warmly welcome the new Chair of the Security Committee Ambassador Luis Manuel CUESTA Civís and congratulate him on the assumption of this responsible tasks. Our thanks go to Ambassador González Románfor her efforts and dedication in leading the Security Committee.

The Armenian delegation followed attentively the presentation specifying the priorities and programme activities of your chairmanship, Ambassador. And we are ready to engage ourselves in a constructive and co-operative manner in accomplishing the goals ahead of us.

We support the intention of the Spanish Chairmanship to keep high on the agenda of the Committee the discussions on issues related to combating terrorism. Taking into account the security environment of the OSCE region and its neighborhood, we firmly believe that it is very important to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, particularly the issue of their returning to the countries of origin and possible relocating to conflict areas. Protection of rights of ethnic and religious groups while fighting terrorism should also be efficiently addressed. Security Committee is the right platform to address these issues through thematic deliberations.

We regret that last year it was not possible to adopt the draft decision on Combating Foreign Terrorist Fighters which enjoyed almost unanimous support. However, well-negotiated content of the draft decision along with our previous commitments provides excellent reference points for our deliberations in this regard.

We welcome the intention of the Chairmanship to organize a joint meeting of three committees on the topic of Security Sector Governance and Reform. We are convinced that a security sector that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and good governance is the foundation of democratic order of our societies. Well-functioning and accountable security institutions are key tools for conflict prevention, as well as for stabilizing measures at large.

We agree that women mainstreaming agenda is important in the work of the Security Committee. It is our firm conviction that women are “strong agents of change for peace and security” and that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in preventing violent conflicts, delivery of relief and recovery efforts, as well as in contributing to lasting and durable settlements.

Once again, we would like to express our readiness to engage constructively and share in due course our perspectives with regards the topics featured on the agenda of the Committee.

In conclusion, I would like to extend full support to you, Ambassador, and your team in carrying out the responsibilities of your chairmanship.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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