Dr. Daniela De Ridder nahm als OSZE-Sonderbeauftrage für Osteuropa am 7. September 2022 zwischen 14:30 und 17 Uhr am OSZE-Webinar „Call for Action – Helsinki+50“ teil. Das Webinar fand in englischer Sprache unter dem Titel „The role of the OSCE in addressing the war in Ukraine and its consequences“ im digitalen Raum (Zoom) statt.
Auszüge aus der OSZE-Pressemitteilung in englischer Sprache:
Highlights from the Call for Action – Helsinki+50 fourth meeting on
“The role of the OSCE in addressing the war in Ukraine and its consequences”
The Highlights from the OSCE PA Call for Action – Helsinki +50 Meetings are not intended to be official conclusions, nor an exhaustive list of all issues or suggestions raised during the debate, but rather a compilation of points recorded for possible future reference. As this compilation is not exhaustive, any comments or suggested additions are welcome.
Main points raised by panellists:
Noted that the war in Ukraine continues to have adverse effects on civilian population as well as the environment, economy and security of the entire region;
Added that it also has a devastating impact on the OSCE member countries by increasing energy prices and provoking inflation, and anticipated that all of the OSCE participating states will experience the consequences of the war in their domestic political situations;
Reflected that the work of OSCE parliamentarians does not end in the OSCE PA but also continues in their constituency;
Recalled the history of OSCE involvement in Ukraine including the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) and the Project Coordinator in Ukraine (PCU) which provided the “eyes and ears” on the ground and strengthened Ukraine’s democratic institutions throughout the course of their mandates;
Expressed concern that the upcoming winter will be challenging in the OSCE Region, and Europe may face a new refugee influx from Ukraine;
Underlined the importance of the initiatives by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the creation of a safe area around the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant;
Stated that thanks to Türkiye’s humanitarian efforts and the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine and the Russian Federation reached an understanding for maintaining the safe export of Ukrainian grain from Ukrainian ports, noting that under the Black Sea Grain Initiative two million tons of grain were exported;
Regretted to observe that there is still discrimination of the Crimean Tatars, whose rights are systematically violated, and highlighted that nuclear militarization of the Crimean Peninsula threatens peace.
General suggestions:
Promoting the peace and security of Ukraine as well as continuing dialogue with the Russian Federation are of utmost importance: increased parliamentary action to seek a way to end hostilities and revitalize diplomatic talks for a just settlement is needed;
OSCE parliamentarians should continue to mobilize the support of the citizens of their home countries for Ukraine;
Called on the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally release the detainees from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM);
Some mentioned the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, suggesting that it should be used intensively to monitor the implementation of the OSCE commitments particularly in the human dimension;
Encouraged all attendees to support initiatives to protect nuclear facilities and, in particular, to support the demilitarization of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant;
Attendees questioned the Russian Federation’s role in international affairs and in relation to their country’s economy and highlighted that the war does not only affect the European continent but also has a global impact.
Main points and recommendations by individual participants:
Highlighted that the Russian Federation is not ready for normal relations with countries, and sanctions and visa restrictions should continue, to force the Russian Federation to actively seek ways to return to peace;
Stated that a strong and well-armed Ukraine is the best investment in the long-term security of Europe and therefore Ukraine needs continuous support from governments and OSCE parliamentarians;
Called on the OSCE parliamentarians not to hesitate to tell their voters and citizens that the Russian Federation declared an unconventional third world war, as increasing inflation has become a Russian weapon against democratic societies;
Encouraged all OSCE parliamentarians to take parliamentary action to echo the fundamental rights and freedoms of the political prisoners in Russia;
Stated that nuclear disarmament of Russia is the most effective solution to solve the frozen conflicts provoked by the Russian Federation;
Stated that the deteriorating situation in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is not just a manifestation of the Russian Federation’s will for blackmailing Europe, but also a move to paralyze the development of nuclear technologies and nuclear energy system.
Noted that Ukraine will never seek for compromises about its territories.
