EU Statement at the Joint Preparatory Meeting of the 32nd OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum
The European Union thanks the Swiss Chairpersonship, as well as the OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities and his team, for organising the Joint Preparatory Meeting of the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum. We would also like to thank Professor Schellnhuber for his keynote address.
We once again welcome the adoption of the Permanent Council Decision on the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum. We reiterate the importance of mandated events taking place across all three dimensions and regret that some participating States have systematically blocked or unduly delayed consensus on the PC decisions regarding the OSCE mandated events, notably for the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting - the key human rights event in the OSCE area.
The EEF remains an essential platform for sharing perspectives on how the OSCE can strengthen security, foster confidence-building, and prevent conflict, in line with its principles and commitments. We look forward to the thematic discussions during the Joint Preparatory Meeting and the Concluding Meeting in Prague later this week.
Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has inflicted immeasurable human suffering and caused multifaceted and devastating consequences for Ukraine’s economic, energy and environmental security. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of Russia’s brutal war of aggression, including through continued and intensified long-range missile and drone attacks against civilian infrastructure. The deliberate targeting and destruction of agricultural land, energy and water infrastructure, railway infrastructure and port facilities blatantly violate international humanitarian law, have immense economic impact, and accelerate environmental degradation, with consequences felt across the wider region, including in the Black Sea. The long-term consequences for biodiversity, natural resources and public health are likely to persist for decades.
We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately end its war of aggression against Ukraine and agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. We will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine and remain determined to increase pressure on Russia until it demonstrates a genuine political will to engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.
Urgent action is already needed. As Russia continues to escalate its aggression against Ukraine, the OSCE must continue contributing to addressing and alleviating the economic and environmental consequences of Russia’s war of aggression. Innovation and new technologies can support Ukraine, notably in terms of recovery and reconstruction, resilience of energy infrastructure, environmental monitoring, transboundary water resources and the climate-security nexus. In this context, we welcome the inclusion of speakers from Ukraine in the sessions this week.
The European Union looks forward to building upon the outcomes of this meeting through continued constructive engagement in the OSCE’s economic and environmental dimension. We are determined to advance the work of the second dimension, with a view to building more resilient and inclusive economies and societies, and, ultimately, achieving comprehensive security for the benefit of all.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.