Aliaksandr Lukashenka wants the OSCE to return to its “professional duties”. He made the statement at a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Feridun Sinirlioğlu, ahead of the Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security.
“I believe that a multipolar world and diversity are what our planet needs today. I am sure that, in your heart, you share this principle. You are an experienced man. It was during your time that the idea of cooperation between different countries, cooperation among all and with everyone, dialogue and discussion was taking shape. That is why your visit to our conference is no coincidence. We greatly appreciate it. As for the OSCE, I must say that our attitude towards this organisation is mixed, for reasons well known to you. But, speaking professionally about the role of the OSCE, I would like to say that we will always strive to ensure that our Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe returns to its professional duties and works towards security and cooperation,” he said.
Lukashenka stressed that the war between Russia and Ukraine posed a serious challenge to the OSCE.
“There has been a war in Europe for several years now. This is a serious challenge for the OSCE. There has been no response from the organisation. Perhaps there has been one, but I know nothing about it. The heads of state of OSCE member countries should have been informed,” he said.
Later, addressing the conference, Lukashenka called for a meeting of OSCE heads of state to be organised.
“We are waiting for the OSCE to start dealing with security and cooperation. This should have been done long ago. Even you should have taken the initiative to convene a meeting of OSCE heads of state to discuss our European affairs. They are far, far from ideal,” he said.
“We, the heads of state who make decisions, are to blame. Canada and the United States, which are also OSCE participants, are to blame as well. We are not doing our job properly. But we would like the Secretariat to show more initiative in this regard,” he added.
Lukashenka believes that the OSCE is currently being prevented from working properly.
“This structure could function normally if it were allowed to. After all, it emerged from the Helsinki Process, from that very idea of equal dialogue. The organisation’s platform gave many countries an opportunity to make their voices and national interests heard loudly and confidently around the world. But the euphoria did not last long and was quickly replaced by a period of instability, geopolitical upheavals, redrawing of borders and bloody conflicts. First in Yugoslavia, and then across the territory of the former Soviet Union. Equal dialogue gave way to political, economic and military diktat by the so-called enlightened democracies,” he said.
In Lukashenka’s view, the OSCE has been relegated to the “sidelines”.
“This explains the OSCE’s current position: far on the sidelines not only of global processes, but of European ones as well,” he said.