Bulgarian Chairmanship of the OSCE Security Cooperation Forum has started
26 April 2023 News
On 26 April 2023, the opening of Bulgaria's chairmanship of the OSCE Security Cooperation Forum (SCF) took place. The Bulgarian Permanent Representative opened the session by stressing that Bulgaria will chair this important OSCE format at a time of serious crisis of the European security architecture caused by Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against a sovereign and independent Ukraine, which has led to tragic humanitarian consequences and deep divisions.
Ambassador Kraleva stressed that the situation is also leaving its mark on the meetings of this key OSCE decision-making format. This means that the political dialogue will remain focused on current security issues in Europe arising from the war against Ukraine. At the same time, she noted that in order to maintain the relevance and functions of the SCF, diplomatic efforts are needed so that the forum remains as much as possible a place for frank conversation among OSCE participating States: ‘The mission of the SCF involves serious reflection, weighing possible options, but at the same time remaining realistic in our expectations in the context of the real military and political situation today,’ Ambassador Emilia Kraleva stated.
The topics chosen by Bulgaria for discussion over the next three months, which are important for our country, the region and beyond, were presented: Security in the Black Sea region; humanitarian demining; the role of women in peace and security; the relationship between security and the environment in the current environment.
The delegations that took part in the ensuing discussion expressed their expectation for a focused debate on the topics presented in the context of an approach of work outside the OSCE's usual one, given the exceptional circumstances. In this sense, the participating States emphasized the need for the SCF to remain focused on the discussion of the critically topical issue of the Russian Federation's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences.
In her statement, Ambassador Kraleva noted Bulgaria's intentions for good coordination both within the SCF Troika, which also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office for 2023 — the Republic of North Macedonia, expressing hope for constructive cooperation from the other delegations.
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