The Undersecretary of State, Giorgio Silli, has attended the 29th Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is taking place today and tomorrow in Lodz, Poland, under the Polish Chairmanship. Mr Silli was delegated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Antonio Tajani, to attend.<\/p>\n
This year the event was marked by the upheaval caused by the crisis in Ukraine. In the light of the dramatic consequences of the attacks against civilians and civil infrastructures, it saw condemnation of Russian aggression and an appeal to the Russian government to immediately cease hostilities. The meeting was an opportunity to reiterate the strong, active solidarity with Kiev and the Ukrainian people, and a renewed commitment to cooperate in accordance with the global approach to security that is a hallmark of the OSCE. An approach that encompasses political-military, economic and environmental aspects along with human rights and the fundamental freedoms.<\/p>\n
In his address, the Undersecretary reaffirmed that \u201cItaly condemns the unjustified, illegal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms\u201d. He then asked Russia to immediately put an end to the war and withdraw its forces and all of its military equipment from Ukraine\u2019s territory.\u00a0 The Undersecretary also addressed the Belarusian authorities, asking them to end all actions that facilitate Russian aggression.<\/p>\n
As for the attacks on Ukraine\u2019s civilian population and civil infrastructure, Undersecretary Silli stated that these are \u201cwar crimes\u201d and \u201ca flagrant violation of international law\u201d. He praised the OSCE\u2019s commitment, through the work of its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and by activating the Moscow Mechanism, to identify such violations and those responsible for the crimes committed.<\/p>\n
He then defined as \u201cunacceptable\u201d the \u201ccrossed vetoes and maximalist stances\u201d that \u201cso far have prevented the adoption of the [Organisation\u2019s] budget for 2022, which has created considerable difficulty for its operation\u201d.<\/p>\n
Yet it is precisely in difficult situations like the present one, noted Undersecretary Silli, that it is vitally important to safeguard the operational capacity of the OSCE \u2013 the only organisation that brings together North America, Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.<\/p>\n
The Undersecretary reiterated the need to observe the principles embodied by the OSCE and the activities of its independent institutions, especially its missions in the field, as a safeguard for citizens\u2019 stability and security.<\/p>\n
During the proceedings, Undersecretary Silli met and greeted the OSCE\u2019s Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid. He also had a conversation with the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Matteo Matteo Mecacci, and met the Secretary General of the OSCE\u2019s Parliamentary Assembly, Roberto Montella.<\/p>\n
The Undersecretary also took part in the side event on \u201cChildren and armed conflict in Ukraine\u201d, organised by Italy, Belgium, Norway and Poland. The event focused on the devastating consequences on human life of Russia\u2019s brutal aggression against Ukraine, and especially on the psychological and physical health of its children. In his address the Undersecretary recalled Italy\u2019s humanitarian efforts. Our country is in the front line for the protection of children in the armed conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and pays special attention to unaccompanied minors.<\/p>\n
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