FM Darmanović took part in informal meeting of OSCE foreign ministers

Podgorica, Montenegro (9 July 2019) -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović participated in an informal meeting of OSCE foreign ministers, which took place in in the High Tatras, Slovakia.

The participants exchange views on the modalities for improving the dialogue and cooperation among the participating countries, as well as restoring confidence and security in the OSCE region. The focus of the discussion was placed on the relevance of the OSCE and the role the Organisation is playing today in the light of the current security challenges. The discussion emphasised importance of respecting the key principles on which the international order is based, as well as the importance of the Organisation in their preservation and promotion, pointing to the potential of the OSCE as a unique platform for dialogue and its specificity in terms of having comprehensive mechanisms for effective and rapid action in the prevention, management and resolution of crisis situations.

MFA ministers agreed that it is necessary to demonstrate political will, through effective multilateralism and constructive dialogue, but that declarative readiness for dialogue must be accompanied by implementation in practice. They underlined the need to respect the principles on which the Organisation is based, such as dialogue, compromise, peaceful resolution of conflicts, accountability and cooperation.

The Montenegrin Foreign Minister stressed that the comprehensive OSCE concept of security is a key segment of the region's common security and that the Organisation has proved itself as a reliable partner and a single forum for open dialogue. In that context, he pledged full support to the current process of the Structural Dialogue on existing and future challenges that is being conducted within the OSCE. He emphasised the importance of respecting the principles and values ​​of the international rule-based order as important preconditions for restoring confidence and security in the OSCE region.

For Montenegro, the OSCE is a strategic partner, to whose principles the country remains committed through supporting its work, missions and respect for integrity, the unique and irreplaceable role of this Organisation, Minister Darmanović concluded.

On the sidelines of the meeting, FM Daranović with the Foreign Ministers of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajcak and the Republic of Finland Pekom Havista. In a meeting with Minister Lajcak, Montenegrin Foreign Minister thanked for the continued support of Slovakia in the process of European integration. At the meeting with the Finnish head of diplomacy, Minister Darmanović stressed the importance of continuing the enlargement policy, and expressed the expectation that Finland would support this policy during the current EU Council presidency.