One political prisoner in the OSCE region is one too many, agree U.S. and Swiss permanent representatives
PRESS RELEASE | October 1, 2019
“OSCE participating States must strive to improve human rights and fundamental freedoms from Vancouver to Vladivostok,” concurred U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) James S. Gilmore III and Swiss counterpart Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart at their meeting September 26. They also stressed the continued relevance of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 for the security of Europe and the entire OSCE region.
The two ambassadors and their delegations agreed to continue collaboration across the OSCE’s three dimensions (politico-military, environmental and economic, and human dimensions). During their meeting, the two permanent representatives discussed, amongst other issues, potential benefits of the Vienna Document to all OSCE participating States, the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Western Balkans. Ambassador Brülhart noted that over half a million Swiss residents come from the Western Balkans, many having arrived as refugees during the wars of the 1990s. Gilmore and Brülhart concluded the call by pledging full support for Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship; both nations will second experienced staff to the Albanian delegation in Vienna.
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For further information please contact:
U.S. Mission to the OSCE
Elaine A. Paplos, Counselor for Public Affairs
Email: PaplosEA[at]state.gov
