Mr. Chair
I deliver this statement on behalf of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Estonia.
Mr. Chair
We thank the Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis for presenting the programme and priorities of the 2026 Chairpersonship of Switzerland. You have our trust and support during these difficult times in defending international law and the Helsinki principles. We remain convinced that this is what the OSCE is for. The Helsinki principles are needed now more than ever. For dialogue among participating states to be productive and valuable, it must first and foremost serve to reinforce and promote adherence to these rules and principles.
We very much hope that under your leadership we will reach consensus on the unified budget 2026. OSCE’s ability to act, operationally and as a platform for political accountability, must be ensured and maintained. We will look favourably upon reforms that can make the OSCE more efficient and effective.
Mr. Chair
We welcome all efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and achieve a just and lasting peace, in line with international law including the UN charter. Based on Ukraine’s wishes, the OSCE must be able to make all of its capacities and tools available in maintaining peace and assist Ukraine in every way in post-war recovery.
We welcome the progress achieved during the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine and the United States in Paris on the 6th of January, and support the creation of the system of politically and legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force.
While Ukraine has consistently shown it wants peace, Russia has intensified its attacks in Ukraine, deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. We urge Russia to immediately cease its illegal attacks.