STOCKHOLM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rebuilding trust and common ground is critical in times of turbulence and multiple crises in Europe, said Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office here on Thursday.
In her opening remarks at the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm, Linde urged participating states to manage differences without resorting to confrontation."I hope that during our two days together here in Stockholm we will have the courage to engage in real dialogue and seek common ground. And, wherever possible, to find common ways forward, she said.
"Throughout the OSCE, there is an urgent need to de-escalate and promote greater solidarity and unity. Clearly, we cannot agree on everything. But there is a lot to gain by finally meeting in person after two years, by considering each other's point of view, and by inching closer to each other,"said Margareta Cederfelt, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at the opening remarks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Twitter that "OSCE today is in a gloomy state. It has become a hostage of a bloc discipline within the EU and NATO and has mired in micromanagement."
Western partners are trying to replace international law with a "rules based order," which they establish proceeding from their own "exclusivity". Increasingly, we hear voices calling for breaking the rule of consensus, without which OSCE will lose its uniqueness and value, Lavrov tweeted.
"Effective multilateralism," which our partners like to declare, will not work if one group of countries puts itself above others and applies methods of pressure and unfair competition to those who disagree, Lavrov added.
On Thursday, Lavrov also held talks "on the sidelines" with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and discussed issue about Ukraine.
The meeting, held annually, is scheduled to wind up on Friday. Enditem
