Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has upended Europe’s security order and has brought severe hardship on millions of people. Ukraine will therefore be the central issue at this year’s OSCE Ministerial Council, under the chairpersonship of Malta. Representatives from 57 countries – stretching from North America to Central Asia – will gather in Valletta to discuss how security can be restored in Europe.

Already prior to launching its war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Russia had tried repeatedly to undermine and block the work of the OSCE. Despite this enormous challenge, efforts to extend the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine until 2028 were successful. The OSCE is also continuously documenting human rights violations in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and publishes reports – for example on the detention of Ukrainian civilians by Russia. In this way, the Organization is supporting Ukraine with a view to preventing impunity for crimes committed by Russia, as well as by documenting environmental damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression. Other projects include psychological support for children and adolescents, as well as assistance with regard to missing Ukrainian civilians, with a special focus on children who have been abducted.

In Valletta, Germany is working to ensure that Russia’s obstructionist approach will not further undermine the OSCE’s ability to act. Ukraine is defending not only itself as a country, but also the OSCE’s founding principles. It is vital that the international community continues to show solidarity with Ukraine, as well as provides comprehensive support for the country’s self-defence.

The OSCE: an indispensable instrument for security in Europe

The OSCE remains an indispensable instrument for dialogue and cooperation in Europe. Currently, though, the Organization is in the midst of a deep institutional and financial crisis, not least due to Russia’s policy of obstruction. For three years now, the OSCE’s budget has been administered only on a provisional basis, and this is substantially limiting its ability to act. What is more, the top four positions in the Organization, including that of the Secretary General, have been vacant since September, and many organisational issues related to the institution, including whether and how future chairpersonships can be agreed, remain unresolved.

Despite these difficulties, the OSCE achieved significant progress in 2024, for example by intensifying its project-related activities in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, and by continuously monitoring human rights violations in Russia and Belarus. Germany has supported the OSCE with voluntary contributions to the tune of more than 17 million euro, so that essential projects in the spheres of human rights, security and the fight against corruption can be continued. These funds made it possible for the Organization to carry out important projects that in particular benefit civil society in Europe. These encompassed, for example, measures to combat corruption and promote stability in the Republic of Moldova and in Central Asia. Measures to fight human trafficking and the secondment of election observation missions – a key OSCE task – were continued.

Germany is committed to guaranteeing the future of the OSCE

At the Ministerial Council in Valletta, Germany will urge all participants to fill the vacant top four positions in the Organization. These include not only the Secretary General, but also the Head of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Representative on Freedom of the Media and the High Commissioner on National Minorities. To ensure that the Organization maintains its ability to act, it is vital that swift agreement be reached on filling these positions.

Germany will also campaign for adoption of the 2024 budget. Given the financial uncertainty of recent years, the OSCE must have stable and reliable funding available so that it can continue its work going forward. Should Russia continue its attempts to block the budget, Germany is prepared, in cooperation with like-minded partners, to find creative solutions for guaranteeing the Organization’s operations.

Another key item on the agenda is planning the chairpersonships for 2026 and beyond. An early decision on the 2026 chairpersonship is needed to ensure a smooth transition and to secure the OSCE’s long-term planning.