Switzerland under discussion for OSCE Chairmanship in 2026
Published: Tuesday, Dec 10th 2024, 12:20
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Switzerland may take over the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2026. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that some OSCE member states are considering Switzerland as a possible candidate for 2026.
With this statement, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed a report published by the CH-Media newspapers on the same day. The FDFA has taken note of this development, the Foreign Ministry continues. "Any candidacy (. . .) would have to be decided by the Federal Council."
The FDFA is following developments closely and will provide information on the next steps at the appropriate time. Switzerland last held the OSCE Chairmanship in 2014.
He had been informed that there had been inquiries from other states on this topic, said the President of the Swiss delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Councillor of States Daniel Fässler, on Tuesday. The politician from the center of Appenzell Innerrhoden confirmed a corresponding statement upon request.
The OSCE is made up of states from Europe, North America and Asia, including Russia. As a regional security organization based in Vienna, it is committed to stability, peace and democracy.
OSCE in crisis
The OSCE is currently in crisis. Russia has vetoed several important decisions. The other member states accuse Moscow of undermining and blocking the work of the OSCE.
The budget has only been managed provisionally for three years. In addition, four top OSCE posts have been vacant for a long time. At the recent meeting of OSCE foreign ministers in Malta, the member states agreed on a Turkish diplomat as the new Secretary General. The participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was met with much criticism in Malta.
The FDFA states that, from Switzerland's perspective, the OSCE "continues to make valuable contributions to European security". Fässler explained that it is important that the fine thread of communication with Russia within the OSCE is not broken. "I would therefore welcome it if Switzerland were to take over the chairmanship in 2026 and try to make the OSCE more functional again."
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