Statement in response to the statements by the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

02 July, 2013

Statement

in response to the statements by the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs H.E. Didier Burkhalter, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Ivan Mrkić

delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the958^th Meeting of the OSCE Special Permanent Council

July 2, 2013

Mr. Chairman,

We warmly welcome and thank Minister for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, H.E. Didier Burkhalter Federal Councillor, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, H.E. Ivan Mrkić for their addresses which highlighted the vision and priorities of the upcoming Chairmanships.

We think that this joint presentation set a good example of cooperation among consecutive Chairmanships.

Switzerland and Serbia will assume their joint responsibility in shaping and leading Helsinki +40 process at its decisive stage. Hence, the overall success of Helsinki +40 process will be very much determined by our readiness to render support to the Swiss and Serbian Chairmanships whose pledges of conducting their work in an unbiased, transparent and cooperative manner are well-taken.

We welcome the intention of the upcoming Chairmanships to work towards building trust and confidence among participating states in each of three dimensions as well to foster cross-dimensional cooperation aimed at utilizing the potential of track 2 initiatives in this regard.

We are pleased that the consecutive Chairmanships intend to promote discussions on conventional arms control and modernization of the OSCE Vienna Document 2011 which will contribute to strengthening the security, transparency and predictability, particularly, in the South Caucasus region.

My delegation also supports the emphasis on the conflict resolution. There are number of conflicts in the OSCE area and their resolution is addressed through different arrangements and mechanisms, some of them are part of this organization. Every conflict situation and its resolution are unique and require continuity, consistency and expertise of mediators. Hence, the support of the Swiss and Serbian Chairmanships to the agreed formats particularly the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group will be an important contribution towards conflict resolution.

Having said this, it is important to highlight that with all uniqueness of each conflict situation there are few but common elements indispensable for viable conflict settlement. First, the conflicts have to be settled on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, namely on the basis of the equal rights and self-determination of peoples, non-use of force or threat of force and territorial integrity.

Second, it is an absolute imperative to prevent escalation, tension and outbreak of new crisis situation. Third, reconciliation efforts are necessary not simply to achieve rapprochement between political leaders but engage societies into evolving processes of building trust and confidence. Reconciliation efforts should not be exclusively reduced to the settlement of the protracted conflicts. It can have a wider application in the OSCE area particularly at the historical reconciliation dimension. We hope that the Swiss experience in dealing with the past will provide useful point of references in multilateral setting of the OSCE as well.

Armenia is ready to closely work with the upcoming Swiss and Serbian Chairmanships to advance our common priorities. We are confident that the valuable experience gained by Switzerland and Serbia in international cooperation along with their strong interest in the OSCE will be thoroughly reflected in the reinvigorated activities of our organization.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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