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Lavrov calls for reforming OSCE to make organisation more effective

Russia considers the OSCE “the unique instrument, which can solve many problems on the Euro-Atlantic space“

MOSCOW, November 8 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reform was indispensable to make its activity more effective.

After the talks with OSCE Secretary-General Lamberto Zannier on Friday, Lavrov said: “Russia calls for strengthening the OSCE and consolidating its role in international affairs in compliance with its initial goal.”

“We want to adopt an OSCE Charter as any organisation should have regulations. We’ll continue supporting the OSCE secretary-general’s efforts to make the organisation successful,” the minister said.

“We’ll back Ukraine’s chairmanship of the OSCE. Herein we’ve discussed preparations for a regular session of the Council of Foreign Ministers due to take place in Kiev on December 5-6,” he said.

The organisation was being created “to eliminate dividing lines on the Euro-Atlantic space, expand cooperation and strengthen security in all its dimensions”, the Russian minister said.

Russia considers the OSCE “the unique instrument, which can solve many problems on the Euro-Atlantic space, including harmonising integration processes within the OSCE”, Lavrov said ,adding, “This is related to the economy, the humanitarian sphere, free movement of people, liberalisation and visa free travel in compliance with the Helsinki Final Act.”

“Russia praises the OSCE principle of security indivisibility on the Euro-Atlantic space. We call for including it in programmes for fighting new challenges - terrorism, drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime,” Lavrov said.