Statement delivered by Ambassador Armen Papikyan at the 1262 PC meeting in response to the report of the Activities of the OCEEA

12 March, 2020

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to thank Ambassador Vuk Zugic for regularly reporting on the activities of his office. We support the efforts of your office in further prioritizing and optimizing the activities within the Second Dimension of the OSCE. We also welcome your intention to design and implement activities that have clear measurable results and impact. The specific role of the second dimension, its very essence is to achieve through dialogue and cooperation peaceful inter-State relations, regional cooperation and stability, which has been outlined in the Budapest Document of 1994 and later developed in subsequent documents, including the Maastricht OSCE Strategy Document of 2003. Equal and non-discriminatory partnership, full respect for the interests of all OSCE participating States and minimizing negative impact of actions in the economic field on other participating States should be at the core of all activities and projects. These principles of economic cooperation should be adhered to in good faith and without preconditions. Such an approach will lead to establishing confidence and dialogue, thus preparing a solid ground for the resolution of more complicated and long-standing issues such as conflicts. The opposite is a deadlock, further instability, deepening of the dividing lines and tensions.

Ambassador Zugic,

It is encouraging to see in your report that your “ultimate goal is to avoid new divisions and to narrow disparities between and within countries and to achieve sustainable results”. Armenian delegation previously on numerous occasions underscored the potential of the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Dimension in fostering dialogue and diminishing tensions. We very much encourage you and anticipate that you will continue to work towards translating this principle into concrete actions.

Another principle point that we would like to highlight once again is that the Second Dimension is the part and parcel of the overall OSCE concept of comprehensive and indivisible security. Therefore, my delegation strongly supports this comprehensive and interlinked approach to all three dimensions. In this context, any project developed by the Office or requested by participating States should either have a strong cross-dimensional impact or serve the purpose of promoting peace and regional stability. However, certain extra-budgetary projects implemented by the OCEEA have neither impact on human rights and security environment, nor serve the purpose of cooperation and dialogue. On the contrary, they contain conflict related elements, and are aimed at side-lining and isolation.

Mr. Chairman,

Armenia highly values the work carried out by the OCEEA aimed at successful implementation of the Anti-corruption reform in Armenia. The assistance programme on “Strengthening anti-corruption reform in Armenia” is a good case in point. Another flagship project is the project on Women Economic Empowerment. We hope that with our joint efforts we will secure the smooth execution of these and several other projects of Armenia Cooperation Programme, which are genuinely cross-dimensional and preserve the aims and the spirit of the OSCE.

In closing, let me once again thank you, Ambassador Zugic, for your efforts in further promoting genuine dialogue and cooperation.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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