Poland in the OSCE

The 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting brought together delegations from 57 OSCE participating States and 11 OSCE Partner for Co-operation, including 40 foreign ministers. The meeting was hosted by Finland’s minister of foreign affairs, Elina Valtonen, the country that holds the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2025. The Polish delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.

During the Council meeting, the current security situation in the OSCE area was discussed, and most delegations in their statements pointed to the destructive effects of Russia's war against Ukraine on the security of the entire OSCE region, as well as on the functioning of the Organization itself.

This year's Ministerial Council took place in the year of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, which was emphasised by Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski in his speech. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski noted that any hostile actions of Russia against Ukraine, but also against the European Union, violate the principles of the OSCE.

- Compliance with these rules should be a necessary condition for retaining one's seat [in this Organization]. This magnificent hall should not be a place for the sick ambitions of those who want to rebuild the empire of evil – said Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski.

The head of Polish diplomacy also referred to examples of Russia's hybrid activities, including the recent act of sabotage on the railway route in Poland, as well as in other European countries, including i. a. arson, assassinations and cyber-attacks combined with the spread of disinformation, with the aim of creating internal divisions in democratic societies.

The Ministerial Council is the main decision-making body of the OSCE and is also a key platform for foreign ministers to review and discuss the security situation in the OSCE area, as well as to assess the work of the Organization in all areas of its activities.

 

Foto: Konrad Laskowski/MFA