Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
Norway is fully aligned with the statement made by the Ambassador of the Netherlands, and I would like to add a few points.
First, let me join others in again thanking the Swedish Chairmanship for its tireless efforts, constructive approach and, not least, patience in trying to reach consensus on the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM). I also wish to thank the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and Poland as its host country for their tireless planning efforts. We regret that it has not been possible to achieve consensus.
The Chairmanship and many participating States, including my own, have actively sought common ground and shown willingness to make concessions in search of a compromise. We have for a long time been ready to agree on the three decisions, even though parts of the draft decision text are quite far from where our preferences lie. But in an organization based on consensus no single participating State can expect to have all its priorities fulfilled.
One State is blocking the HDIM this year. Claiming anything else is simply disrespectful to colleagues who have engaged in discussions in good faith over such a long period of time.
This is not the first time this year that the work of a large number of participating States and our entire organization has been hampered as a result of unilateral interests. This unwillingness to find compromise must come to an end.
Norway cannot and will not stop trying to find common ground. Norway’s delegation is ready to engage in any constructive dialogue on sensitive issues and will continue to work in the best interest of the OSCE and all its participating States. We expect the same from all other participating States.
I ask that this intervention be attached to the journal of the day.
Thank you.