UKRAINE INVASION: War ‘most severe’ test ever for European security body – UN on GEO´
UKRAINE INVASION: War ‘most severe’ test ever for European security body – UN on GEO´
Syndicated By: GEO´ PRWire
The war in Ukraine is the most severe test the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has faced since its creation in 1975, the top UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Monday, as the 15-member organ held its annual briefing on the OSCE’s work against the backdrop of intensifying bombardments of key Ukrainian cities.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed grave concern that the situation on the ground worsened over the weekend. She cited unrelenting shelling and bombardment of numerous cities in Ukraine, with civilians killed daily, as well as credible reports that Russian forces are using cluster munitions – including in populated areas.
‘Shaken to its core’
“The Russian invasion has shaken the foundations of the European security architecture to its core,” said the Under-Secretary-General.
The OSCE was born in 1975 out of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe in Helsinki, Finland. It currently has 57 participating States and serves as a critical platform for regional dialogue and negotiations on such issues as counter-terrorism, cyber security and good governance.
OSCE also takes on a range of on-the-ground tasks across Europe, including election support, border management and human rights monitoring.
Recalling the organization’s history and its growing partnership with the UN, Ms. DiCarlo said today’s tragic conflict in Ukraine vividly illustrates the importance of mechanisms to maintain and strengthen European and international peace and security. Learn More/…
Image Credit: Marcin Krawczyk
