Stockholm, 2 December 2021 (TDI): The 28th Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council is happening in Sweden from 2 December to 3 December, organized by the OSCE Chairpersonship. The Foreign Ministers of 57 OSCE member states get the privilege of attending the annual meeting at the invitation of the OSCE Chairperson-in-office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ann Linde.
The meeting aims to review and appraise the Organization’s activities and reinforce the security issue dialogue in the OSCE area.
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
The OSCE was formulated in Helsinki, Finland on the 1st of August 1975. It was established to provide a multilateral platform for negotiation and dialogue between East and West.
The OSCE is the Security Policy Cooperation body based on 57 member states. It predominantly defined its activities to review democracy, rule of law, human rights, and military arms control.
Ministerial Council
The first-ever Conference of Misters of Foreign Affairs, on Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) took place in Helsinki, which was held on 3-7 July 1973.
The Ministerial Council is the OSCE Organization’s central decision-making body and governing. It was itself established by the Charter of Paris for a New Europe (1990). The annual meeting is held annually and Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the OSCE member states are at Chairmanship holding country.
Heads of state and government attend Summit meeting which is the highest decision-making body of the OSCE.
The invited guests include foreign ministers from North America, Europe, and Central Asia, including Russia and the United States who are both sending their chief diplomats to the gathering for the first time since 2017.
Civic Society Conference on COVID-19
At the OSC Parallel Civil Society Conference, representatives of the civil society from the OSCE area represented recommendations for preventing the COVID-19 conflict in Stockholm on the 1st of December.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde emphasized that: “A vibrant civil society is key for democracy as the beating heart of all societies, including in our organization. They help us keep our eyes on crucial issues and worrying trends and help participating States hold one another to account.” She expressed gratitude for the contribution of civil society in relation to all aspects of the OSCE’s work.”
Participated in the OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference, organized by @CivicSolidarity. Highlighted the important role of #CivilSociety in the @OSCE. A vibrant civil society is key for democracy as the beating heart of all societies. #OSCE2021SWE #OSCEMC2021 pic.twitter.com/LKeYS8rC25
— Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) December 1, 2021
Moreover, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid emphasized that: “Civil society organizations play a core role in everything the OSCE does–from conflict prevention to combatting organized crime, to promoting economic empowerment and beyond. The Stockholm Dialogue, which echoes many of my own priorities for the organization, is a timely reminder of this contribution.”
#CivilSociety are core partners in so much the @OSCE does
Grateful to receive their recommendations to Ministers on conflict prevention and human rights alongside @AnnLinde @MatteoMecacci @OSCE_RFoM @oscehcnm pic.twitter.com/w1tE1l5KgM— Helga Maria Schmid (@HelgaSchmid_SG) December 1, 2021
The Parallel Civil Society is organized annually, under the supervision of OSCE Chairpersonship, arranged by Civic Solidarity Platform on the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting since 2010.
 Ministerial Council is happening in Sweden from... (read more)){kind=link}