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The Maltese Herald

31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta overshadowed by Sergey Lavrov’s visit

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by

Mark Camilleri
in ,

Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov will be travelling to the first EU-member state since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 to attend the OSCE Ministerial Council. Unlike Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov does not have an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court but is sanctioned by the EU. He does not have a travel ban imposed on him by Brussels.

His visit has been criticised by several members of the organisation including Poland and Ukraine as Lavrov’s presence in Malta legitimises Russia’s criminal regime and its illegal war. His participation at the OSCE conference in North Macedonia last year also sparked protests with the Baltic states boycotting the event. Russia has also threatened to withdraw from the organisation completely.

These tensions have strained the organisation’s remit and scope to the point of becoming unsustainable. As a result, this year’s conference will primarily focus on whether the OSCE will continue to exist. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding who will chair the organisation next year, with no member candidate emerging as a clear favorite for the role. Malta which is currently chairing the organisation is advocating for the organisation’s existence and renewal.

The OSCE’s role is a forum between European and Asian states where issues of security, peace, and human rights are discussed between member-states. The OSCE is active in advocating for human rights and during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it served as a channel for member states to communicate with Russia. Whilst chairing the organisation Malta was involved in discussions about the repatriation of children from Russia to Ukraine. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has an international arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court for the kidnapping and abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia.

 

 

Comments

  1. Sue avatar
    Sue

    And great to see that Israeli foreign minister will also be here. What wonderful company

    Reply
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