OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1056 Vienna, 27 September 2023

1.As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine regrettably continues with unabated force, it should remain the highest priority for this Forum and we will not cease to address it. We condemn this illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war waged by Russia and supported by Belarus in the strongest possible terms.

2.Russia’s deliberate targeting of Ukraine’s grain storage facilities and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, including the recent attacks on the port of Odesa and on the Danube, close to the border of EU Member States, further endangers the world’s food security. At the same time, civilian casualties of these attacks show how indiscriminate Russian attacks continue to be.

3.Madam Chair, we would have liked to see the Forum for Security Co-operation focus, as it normally should, on the wide range of topics covered by its mandate.These are often pressing issues, which merit our full attention, but as long as Russia wages its war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no business as usual.

4.We saw during last week’s meeting on the issue of mine action that progress is urgently needed as antipersonnel mines contamination and explosive remnants of war are a source of ongoing suffering in several OSCE participating States. At the same time, we also had to acknowledge that under current circumstances not only has co-operation on demining stalled, but Russia is in fact planting more and more mines in an ever larger part of Ukrainian territory. Last week’s testimonies from various speakers invited by your chairpersonship reminded us once again of the misery that Russia’s war of aggression is indiscriminately inflicting on the Ukrainian people, including on the most vulnerable – children.

5.The FSC should provide a platform for dialogue between participating States.However, the Russian Federation misuses the Forum for its own propaganda and disinformation and shows its systematic disrespect to the Chair and the other 56 participating States by regularly leaving the room. We urge the Russian Federation to engage in an honest and mutually respectful dialogue.

6. Madam Chair, last week, on 21 September, we observed the International Day of Peace. Sadly, the territory of Ukraine remained a battleground even on that day as it has been since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. There is only one way to de-escalate the current situation and that is for Russia to stop its war of aggression immediately and withdraw its forces, and equipment, unconditionally and entirely.

7. We will continue striving for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on full respect for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We reiterate our support to the comprehensive 10-point Ukraine Peace Formula by President Zelenskyy.

8. Our commitment to Ukraine’s rightful self-defence and to its brave people remains unwavering. The EU and its Member States are united and determined in their support, be it financial and budgetary, military, humanitarian and emergency assistance or our support to Ukrainian refugees.

9. As President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said at the UN Security Council last week: ‘we, the European Union, stand firmly with Ukraine to defend itself. As long as the innocent are attacked, we will help them to defend themselves. And we will stay by their side, for as long as it takes’.

Thank you.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, the members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.