1.Many thanks to Permanent Secretary Louka for his opening remarks.
2.Dear Ambassador, your Chairpersonship was marked by the second tragiccommemoration of the beginning of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiablewar of aggression against Ukraine, with the support of Belarus, as well as Iran andthe DPRK. This war, waged by an OSCE participating State, blatantly violates thevery principles and commitments of this Organisation and the UN Charter. Weekafter week and report after report, more and more evidence emerges on Russia’scontinued deliberate disregard of international law, international humanitarian andhuman rights law. The EU and its Member States condemn Russia’s actions in thestrongest possible terms. Against this backdrop Cyprus, in its capacity of FSCChair, rightly maintained Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and itsdevastating repercussions as our key focus also during this trimester. Let us allnot forget that it is this war of aggression that is preventing us from engaging in amore comprehensive dialogue in the politico-military dimension.
3.The four Security Dialogues which you organised were all very timely andaddressed important matters that the FSC is mandated to deal with. Be ithumanitarian mine action, where we see that progress has stalled and is actuallyreversing, the topic of security and environment which is becoming one of thedefining challenges of our times, or the women, peace and security agenda wherewe still have to deliver on our commitments.
4.We also welcome that the matter of gender equality was a common thread runningthrough all four of the entirely relevant Security Dialogues organised under theCypriot Chairpersonship. In addition an important side event was dedicated to thetopic of the role of men in gender equality. There is still much to do on this matterand prioritising the WPS agenda is one of the more important steps to achievetangible progress.
5.Moreover, human security in armed conflicts with a focus on protection againstgender-based violence was initially on the agenda of the 1069th FSC but in what now seems to have become its common practice, the Russian Federation blocked the meeting. Considering their pretext, we reiterate that the choice of the speakers is a Chair’s prerogative, as it has always been, also before Russia started its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression and when it chaired the FSC itself. As a matter of fact it is actually Russia who is particularly unwilling to discuss specific topics, consistent with the FSC’s mandate, such as the one mentioned or international humanitarian law which it blocked under the previous Canadian Chairpersonship. The fact that the International Criminal Court just last week issued warrants of arrest for two high-ranking Russian commanders for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Ukraine underscores how important it remains for us to address these matters here in the FSC.
6.This disruptive, obstructive and disrespectful behaviour undermines our capacityto have a meaningful dialogue, especially if Russia at times opposes and blockseven a basic agenda with just general statements and any other business.
7.Dear Ambassador, despite these challenges in this trimester when Cyprusassumed the Chairpersonship of the FSC, you steered us safely and surely andwe commend you and your team for that.
8.We now welcome and wish all the best to the upcoming Croatian FSCChairpersonship and know you will also approach matters in a professional,honest and equitable fashion. Croatia can count on our full support as well asCyprus, still in its Troika role, and Denmark who will become the Troika’s newestmember. Lastly, we bid farewell to Canada as a Troika member.

Thank you.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.
*North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be partof the Stabilisation and Association Process.