Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We welcome Foreign Minister Gylfadóttir to the Permanent Council and thank her for her presentation.
Over years, the core principles on which the OSCE and the Council of Europe were built, have been challenged. In the past 11 months, we have seen a blatant disregard of them. Norway demands Russia to halt fighting, withdraw its troops immediately, and stop causing further death, suffering and destruction.
Mr. Chair,
The Council of Europe and the OSCE tackle the challenges to democratic development from different vantage points, but our values and objectives overlap when we seek to uphold human rights and the rule of law in Europe. The European Court of Human rights is a powerful institution that has great normative influence throughout our region. This serves as a backdrop for the work of the OSCE and its institutions. We urge all relevant states to adhere to the Court’s judgements and decisions.
The OSCE and the Council of Europe must continue to cooperate in the mandated areas and keep each other informed of activities in all areas, to ensure maximum results of the work of both organizations. The Icelandic priorities for its Chairpersonship of the Council of Europe corresponds well with important areas of work in the OSCE and with Norwegian priorities, including gender equality, LGBT rights and the rights of children in conflict. Norway will continue to support and promote further cooperation between the two organizations.
Colleagues,
Norway will remain true to its principles and uphold international law and OSCE and Council of Europe commitments. The Summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik in May is an opportunity for our leaders to reaffirm their commitment to agreed fundamental principles, to the benefit of the inhabitants. We support Iceland in its endeavor and wish them the best of luck for the remainder of its Chairpersonship.
Thank you.