17.5.2005
Address
by the OSCE Chariman-in-Office Dr. Dimitrij Rupel at the 3rd Summit
of the Council of Europe
Warsaw, Poland
Messieurs les Présidents,
Messieurs les Premiers Ministres,
Chers collegues,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
C'est un grand plaisir pour moi de pouvoir participer a ce sommet
et de m'adresser a vous en tant que Président en exercice de l'OSCE,
l'un des partenaires les plus étroits du Conseil de l'Europe.
Aujourd'hui, nous nous trouvons devant un des moments pivots de
l'histoire européenne. Les élargissements de l'OTAN et de l'UE l'année
derniere représentent un défi supplémentaire pour nos organisations
qui devront redéfinir leurs rôles dans ce moment de grands changements
de la situation politique en Europe.
L'année 2005 est aussi une année d'anniversaires, ce qui nous offre
l'occasion de réfléchir sur le passé avant de nous lancer vers nos
objectifs futurs.
L'année des anniversaires
La semaine derniere, nous avons célébré les soixante ans de la
fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale en Europe. Cela a été l'occasion
de nous souvenir de tous ceux qui ont perdu la vie au cours de la
plus grande tragédie du 20e siecle, et d'honorer tous ceux qui se
sont battus pour la victoire de la liberté et de l'humanité, contre
la dictature, l'oppression et l'agression.
La Guerre froide a semé une profonde division dans le monde, le
séparant en deux blocs opposés. Il y a trente ans, 35 chefs d'État
et de gouvernement ont signé l'Acte final de Helsinki, créant la
Conférence sur la sécurité et la coopération en Europe. Le processus
de Helsinki a facilité énormément la détente entre l'Est et l'Ouest,
et contribué a dépasser les scissions en Europe.
Apres le chute du mur de Berlin et les transformations politiques
en Europe centrale et orientale, les chefs d'État et de gouvernement
de l'OSCE ont signé la Charte de Paris pour une nouvelle Europe,
dans laquelle ils se sont engagés a promouvoir et aider a construire
des institutions démocratiques dans toute la région couverte par
l'Organisation sur la sécurité et la coopération en Europe.
Common Values in a Changing Europe
The Council of Europe has developed a sophisticated range of treaties,
conventions and instruments to strengthen the democratic foundations
of the new Europe. For its part, the OSCE is continuing its endeavours
to strengthen democratic institutions and promote viable civil society
in the transition countries. The OSCE remains committed to preventing
and resolving ethnic conflicts in our region and to address new
threats to the European security, such as terrorism, organized crime
and illegal trafficking.
I believe that it is no coincidence that the United Nations, the
OSCE, and the Council of Europe are all now discussing reform. Organizations
created in the aftermath of the Second World War or in the period
of mistrust between Cold War opponents now find themselves in completely
different circumstances and must change to retain their relevance.
The OSCE is undergoing a process of transformation to make it more
efficient and transparent, so that it will be of even greater benefit
to the people of its Participating States. Slovenia has chosen "Reform,
Revitalize and Rebalance" as its motto for this year's OSCE
Chairmanship. Reform is the centrepiece of the Slovenian Chairmanship
as was reflected in my appointments to the Panel of Eminent Persons,
which will present its report next month.
The OSCE's enhanced co-operation with the Council of Europe is
a good example of how the reform of our respective organizations
should be accompanied by stronger ties between us in the pursuit
of our common goals.
Our partnership must be anchored in a strong set of common values.
While the architecture of Europe may change, the foundations stay
the same. Democratic values and respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms remain at the core of the OSCE's concept of comprehensive
security.
Enhancing Synergy between the Two Organizations
In the Istanbul Charter for European Security, the OSCE undertook
to strengthen relations with organizations that promote comprehensive
security in the OSCE region. The Council of Europe and OSCE not
only share similar objectives but also similar memberships- with
a couple of important exceptions from Asia and North America.
For this reason, it is necessary that the OSCE and the Council
of Europe pool the available resources and enhance synergy between
the two organizations. I believe that both organizations - and the
States that are part of them - should, as a rule, look at existing
resources before planning new initiatives. Europe has a high concentration
of expertise in human rights and the rule of law that should be
properly channelled and used effectively.
Some political actors would like to introduce in the relations
between the OSCE and the Council of Europe not competition but substitution
and forum shopping. This would be a harmful direction of action
to take.
The Council of Europe and the OSCE must continue to co-exist and
co-operate. They reinforce each other the same way as other European
organizations (EU and NATO) do.
I applaud my Norwegian and Bulgarian colleagues, who started this
process last year, and Poland with whom we have worked closely this
year to see the project through. Today, the Polish Foreign Minister
Adam Daniel Rotfeld and myself signed a joint statement that highlights
the Declaration on Co-operation between the OSCE and the Council
of Europe. The Declaration is a manifestation of the determination
to see closer cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
On election monitoring, I believe that the sound foundation of
cooperation between the OSCE/ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe should continue. The fundamental principles
on democratic elections bind our organizations together in the ultimate
pursuit of genuine democratic governance. Our joint monitoring efforts
enhance confidence, transparency and accountability of an election
process. The cooperation between the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission
in the review of election legislation helps emerging democracies
to bring their legislation more closely in line with democratic
standards.
The two organizations must ensure that our efforts in the field
of tolerance and non-discrimination complement existing activities.
We can also draw on each other's expertise in the protection of
persons belonging to national minorities, Roma and Sinti, combating
trafficking in human beings and in the fight against terrorism.
Reaching the Summit
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we reflect on momentous past events that have shaped modern
history, we should appreciate how far we have come in building a
world united on the basis of common democratic values.
While we may have our differences, these are the differences that
we debate rather than fight over. We have forums where we can seek
to resolve them, a clear set of common standards, and instruments
to assist each other in implementing our commitments.
I welcome this Summit as a way of assessing, reaffirming and strengthening
the cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
Thank you.
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