STATEMENT In Response to the Address of H.E. Gent Cakaj, the Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania

11 July, 2019

STATEMENT
In Response to the Address of H.E. Gent Cakaj, the Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania
as delivered by the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia
at the 1235th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
July 11, 2019

Mr. Chair,

The Delegation of Armenia warmly welcomes the Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania H.E. Mr. Gent Cakaj to the Permanent Council and thanks for presenting the priorities of the Albanian Chairmanship.

We agree with the assessment of the Minister that the current international and regional security situation is grave, and we are more in need of multilateralism than ever. In our view more dialogue, more co-operation and more co-ordination transcending national and bilateral agendas is key to effective multilateralism. We fully rely on ability and dedication of Albania, and its professional team here in Vienna lead by distinguished Ambassador Hasani to serve the cause of multilateralism by successfully guiding our organization and its common values that derive from the very essence of peace, security and co-operation.

We are pleased that the upcoming Albanian Chairmanship will lead our Organization and inspire our work with the vision of implementing our commitments together. In our view, the implementation of the OSCE commitments across the three dimensions will further contribute to raising the profile and strengthening the role of our Organization.

We share the view that the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights will foster peace, security and stability in the entire OSCE area. Thus, the strong link between human rights and security should be at the focus of the upcoming Albanian Chairmanship.

Unfortunately, racism and hate crimes in certain areas of the OSCE create a culture of impunity and xenophobia and continue to threaten the security of people. In this regard we welcome the upcoming Chairmanship’s determination and initiative to address this issue.

We are encouraged that the upcoming Chairmanship will prioritize the fight against corruption. We welcome this fact since the Government of Armenia has declared combating corruption as one of its priorities and we are looking forward to work closely with the Albanian Chairmanship to this end. Within that context the OSCE participating States have a shared responsibility to combat corruption focusing in particular on corruption of high-level public officials.

Armenia subscribes to the view that confidence and security building measures and military to military contacts reduce the risks and contribute to transparency predictability and security.

We took good note of the intention of the upcoming chairmanship to work towards promoting the role of women in conflict resolution and peace processes. Women are strong agents of change for peace and security. Earlier this February, our Government approved the first National Action Plan on the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1325, which aims at the acceleration of the political participation and economic empowerment of women in the context of peacebuilding, conflict-prevention and conflict resolution.

Mr. Chair,

We welcome the determination of the upcoming Chairmanship to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Armenia supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on three principles: non-use of force or threat to use the force, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and territorial integrity, and the 5 statements delivered on behalf of the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries.

Strong adherence to these three principles of conflict resolution, can serve as an important contribution of the Albanian Chairmanship to the peace process.

We regret that in its statement one participating State failed to respect the agreed language constantly used by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs while referring to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In conclusion, we would like to wish every success to you, Mr. Minister, and assure our support in all your future endeavors aimed at further consolidating peace and security in the OSCE area.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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