Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation

Marina Kaljurand presenting Estonia's Council of Europe chairmanship priorities at the Permanent Council of the OSCE. Photo: vm.ee

The priorities that Estonia has set for itself as chairman of the Council of Europe – human rights and the rule of law on the internet, gender equality and children's rights – are inextricably linked to the issues currently on the OSCE's agenda, the minister said at the meeting in Vienna on Thursday.

"Therefore, I consider the cooperation of both of these organizations, which stand for the core values of Europe to be very important; both in the field of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law," she said, stressing the need for cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe in the observation of elections, promoting tolerance and in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalization and cybercrime.

Kaljurand also stressed the OSCE's leading role in solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as frozen conflicts.

"The efforts of all parties are necessary in order to restore security, as is the international community's attention and support," she said.

The Estonian foreign minister expressed satisfaction that Nadiya Savchenko, who had been unlawfully detained in Russia, has returned home safely.

Kaljurand had a separate meeting in Vienna with the OSCE secretary general, Lamberto Zannier, with whom the security situation in Europe and activities of the OSCE in Ukraine were spoken about. Kaljurand expressed concern about the continuing violations of ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, which are an obstacle to finding a political solution.

Kaljurand said the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine, in which six Estonians taking part, has an important role to play in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and in the control of arms retraction. "Therefore it is crucial that the security of the observers be guaranteed and that they are allowed unhindered access to the entire conflict region," the minister said. She stressed the role of the OSCE in conflict prevention and promotion of democratic values.

The Estonian minister also met with the chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, German Ambassador Eberhard Pohl.