1.The European Union and its Member States warmly welcome the distinguished Speakers to this meeting and thank them for their interesting presentations here today. We would also like to thank the FSC Chairperson for his choice of topic for today’s dialogue on full gender equality in conscription, which complements the security dialogue on the Code of Conduct of Pol-Mil Aspects of Security a core issue of the OSCE’s pol-mil Dimension.

2.UNSC Resolution 1325 and its follow-up resolutions stress the equal participation and full involvement of women in the maintenance of peace and security. Recognising that women have an indispensable role to play in ensuring that armed forces, while implementing their missions, are responsive to the needs of all members of the populations they serve and protect is a vital first step towards full implementation of the WPS agenda. This has been recognised by participating States in OSCE Ministerial Council decisions 14/05, 7/09 and 3/11. These are commitments that we all have agreed on. We also want to highlight the commitments in the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the promotion of Gender Equality, which are yet to be fully implemented.

3.As the largest regional security organisation in the world the OSCE can and should make a strong contribution to the WPS agenda. We commend the Secretariat, ODIHR and the field missions for their continuous engagement in this regard and recall our unwavering support for an OSCE-wide Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The EU and its Member States have also endorsed the update of the guidance on voluntary reporting on WPS under the Code of Conduct, which helps to improve the exchange of data and best practices amongst participating States. The ODIHR produced compendium on Human Rights of the Armed Forces personnel brings forward further concrete actions for implementing the Code of Conduct, including the use of universal conscription and institutional reforms to increase women participation in the security services. These are fully in line with OSCE commitments and the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its follow-up resolutions.

4.Women and girls are disproportionately and differently affected by wars, conflicts and crises in the OSCE area. Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has in particular highlighted the importance of a specific emphasis on women and theWPS agenda. As substantiated in the reports of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the UNSG Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Moscow Mechanism expert missions and ODIHR, widespread conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence has been committed by Russian forces. In this context the EU reiterates its steadfast commitment to uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to end impunity for international crimes, not least when rapeis used as a weapon of war. We commend the tireless efforts and contributions of civil society and human rights defenders to this end.

5.The EU also underlines the importance of a strong cooperation between key stakeholders and civil society organisations in implementing gender equality and WPS commitments. Civil society organisations, women-led organisations, women human rights defenders and women peace builders play a vital role as agents of change. We should work resolutely towards sustained, predictable, and flexible funding for women’s and women-led organisations. Funding cuts and restrictions hinder their financial independence and operational capabilities and thereby slowdown the effective implementation of the WPS agenda.

6.The EU places the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the centre of the full spectrum of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, as an essential tool in ensuring that the rights and protection of women and girls are observed an upheldat all times and to confirm that a full, equal, safe and meaningful participation of women is secured in all institutions and processes of conflict prevention, peace-making, peace building and post-conflict rehabilitation. In collaboration with others,the EU will continue to promote women´s leadership and participation in peace and security at all levels.

7.More than two decades have passed since the UN Resolution 1325 on Women,Peace and Security was adopted. Today’s event is a valuable contribution to thediscussion on how we in practical terms can improve the implementation of commitments stemming from the WPS agenda. In this vein we would welcome continued dialogue and exchange on today’s topic of full gender equality in conscription, policy considerations, lessons learned and practical implementation.

Thank you.

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

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