VIENNA, 17 January 2024 – Today marked the opening session of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under the Chairpersonship of Cyprus, during which Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Constantinos Kombos outlined the country’s priorities for its Chairpersonship.

“We are assuming the Chair of the Forum with a great sense of responsibility and with strong commitment to further promote the knowledge which has emerged from the previous Chairs, in close co-operation with the FSC Troika as well as the Chairpersonship of the OSCE, our good partner Malta. We are fully aware that our Chairpersonship coincides with an extended period of deep reflection, due to Russia’s unjustified war of aggression, which has devastating impacts on its victims, while also gravely affecting the security and stability of our continent and beyond,” said Minister Kombos, who underlined the special importance of international law, the rules-based order and multilateralism for Cyprus.

The programme of Cyprus’ FSC Chair will comprise a series of sessions dedicated to specific topics, involving international experts. The topics addressed will include humanitarian demining, the application of International Humanitarian Law during armed conflicts with a focus on gender-based violence, the role of security forces in the protection of the environment and the response to climate change, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. All of these thematic areas will incorporate gender equality as the Chair’s cross-cutting priority.

“Despite the challenges, the OSCE remains the most important regional platform for dialogue, with a unique comprehensive concept on security,” emphasised Minister Kombos. “The perseverance of peace should continue to be our collective compass. We must recall what brought us together and our commitment for peace, security and stability in the OSCE area and beyond.”

The FSC is an autonomous decision-making body of the OSCE, with the aim of maintaining military security and stability in the OSCE area. The FSC brings together delegates from all 57 participating States on a weekly basis. It contributes to the implementation of trust and security-building measures regulating the exchange of military information among states. Furthermore, the FSC plays an important role in the implementation of the Code of Conduct, a crucial document for ensuring the democratic control of security forces by the participating States.

Cyprus will chair the FSC meetings until April 2024.