Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna has expressed regret over Russia and Belarus’s veto of Estonia’s candidacy for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe chairmanship in 2024.
Tsahkna cited Russia’s actions as obstructing the organisation’s work, as Moscow has not allowed the approval of the organisation’s budget, the organisation of official OSCE events, the extension of missions, and has ended all OSCE missions in Ukraine. The OSCE has not confirmed its chair just a month and a half before the new year, despite Estonia being a joint candidate of the European Union for this position since 2020.
Tsahkna emphasised that Russia’s violation of OSCE principles by waging a bloody war of aggression is unacceptable and called for comprehensive isolation of Russia on the international stage. Tsahkna emphasised that the OSCE must uphold its core values and should not make concessions to aggressors. He emphasised that the OSCE has evolved from the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and has never consisted solely of like-minded countries.
The regional intergovernmental organization spans North America, Europe, and Asia. It was established during the Cold War in 1975 and was formalized with the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. The OSCE comprises 57 participating states and is the world’s largest regional security organization.
It’s primary objectives include conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. It operates on the principles of comprehensive security, encompassing political-military, economic, environmental, and human dimensions.
Key functions of the OSCE include conflict mediation, monitoring elections, promoting human rights and democratic governance, and addressing transnational threats such as terrorism and trafficking. The OSCE engages in field operations and missions, deploying personnel to areas of concern to facilitate peace and stability. Many member states argue that Russia and Belarus should be expelled following their aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
