Interpretative Statements on the OSCE Leadership Decisions

As prepared for delivery by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III
to the OSCE Ministerial Council
Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom)
December 4, 2020

1.  INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER § IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE  OF THE OSCE
   ON THE DECISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL
   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. 

   In connection with the adoption of the decision for the appointment of the OSCE Secretary General, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure.The United States welcomes the appointment of Helga Schmid. We support the work of the Secretary General and the OSCE Secretariat.

   We recall that the Secretary General derives his/her authority from the collective decisions of the participating States and acts under the guidance of the Chairman-in-Office. He or she is the Chief Administrative Officer of the OSCE, and is tasked, among other things, to act as the representative of the Chairperson-in-Office and support him or her in all activities aimed at fulfilling the goals of the OSCE. Nothing in this decision should be interpreted to alter the mandate of the Secretary General or restrict the work of the Secretary General in the exercise of his or her mandate.

   Finally, the United States underscores that it is the OSCE participating States which have adopted the OSCE’s principles, commitments, and decisions, and it is first and foremost the responsibility of the participating States to implement them. 

   I request that this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and that it be included in the journal of the day. 

   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

2. INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER § IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE  OF THE OSCE
   ON THE DECISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OSCE OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (ODIHR)Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. 

   In connection with the adoption of the decision for the appointment of the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure.

   The United States welcomes the appointment of Matteo Mecacci. We fully respect the autonomy and support the work of ODIHR.

   Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been pressure from some participating States to weaken the OSCE’s autonomous institutions and cut resources for them. Nothing in this decision should be interpreted to diminish the autonomy of or restrict the work of the Director of ODIHR in the exercise of his or her mandate. 

   Finally, the United States underscores that it is the OSCE participating States which have adopted the OSCE’s principles, commitments and decisions and it is first and foremost the responsibility of the participating States to implement them. 

   I request that this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and that it be included in the journal of the day. 

   Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

3. INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER § IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE  OF THE OSCE
   ON THE DECISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OSCE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON NATIONAL MINORITIES (HCNM)Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. 

   In connection with the adoption of the decision for the appointment of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure. 

   The United States welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov. We fully respect the autonomy and support the work of the HCNM. 

   Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been pressure from some participating States to weaken the OSCE’s autonomous institutions and cut resources for them. Nothing in this decision should be interpreted to diminish the autonomy of or restrict the work of the High Commissioner on National Minorities in the exercise of his or her mandate. 

   Finally, the United States underscores that it is the OSCE participating States which have adopted the OSCE’s principles, commitments and decisions and it is first and foremost the responsibility of participating States to implement them. 

   I request that this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and that it be included in the journal of the day. 

   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

4. INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER § IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE  OF THE OSCE
   ON THE DECISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OSCE REPRESENTATIVE ON FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA (RFOM) 

   Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. In connection with the adoption of the decision for the appointment of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM), the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure. 

   The United States welcomes the appointment of Maria Teresa Ribeiro. We fully respect the autonomy and support the work of the RFOM. 

   Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been pressure from some participating States to weaken the OSCE’s autonomous institutions and cut resources for them. Nothing in this decision should be interpreted to diminish the autonomy of or restrict the work of the Representative on Freedom of the Media in the exercise of his or her mandate. 

   Finally, the United States underscores that it is the OSCE participating States which have adopted the OSCE’s principles, commitments and decisions and it is first and foremost the responsibility of the participating States to implement them. 

   I request that this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and that it be included in the journal of the day. 

   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson

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By U.S. Mission OSCE | 4 December, 2020 | Topics: Statements | Tags: OSCE