Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

OSCE ministerial meeting: Switzerland firmly believes that dialogue and joint action are the drivers of greater security in Europe

Press releases, 10.07.2017

On Tuesday, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will travel to Austria to attend the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Mauerbach near Vienna which will be devoted to the issue of security in Europe under the motto, ‘Building Trust through Dialogue and Co-operation’. At the meeting, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) will reaffirm the high priority that Switzerland accords the OSCE in its efforts to strengthen security in Europe, and will give its first assessment of the structured dialogue launched by the OSCE at the beginning of the year to address in detail the main political and military issues concerning the security of the continent.

Switzerland firmly believes that dialogue and joint action are the drivers of greater security in Europe. The initial discussions facilitated a better perception and understanding of the risks to security in Europe. The challenge in the coming years will be to reduce these risks in order to eliminate the possibility of a new conflict breaking out in Europe.

In addition to political and military issues concerning the European continent, the ministers will have the opportunity to address questions such as the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the defence of human rights and the threat of cyber attacks. Switzerland advocates that the OSCE take proactive action in this field and proposes putting in place a standardised consultation mechanism within the organisation to prepare it for the event of a major cyber incident.

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Last update 19.07.2023

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