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Quotable quotes at OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg

Xinhua, December 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) concluded here Friday its 23rd Ministerial Council. The following are some quotable quotes from participants at the two-day meeting.

"I firmly believe that we need structures for dialogue and cooperation at turbulent times like these in particular. More than ever, we need the OSCE as a lighthouse to guide our course." -- Frank-Walter Steinmeier, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German foreign minister

"Today, the OSCE's unity of purpose is constantly being tested, together with the validity of the principles on which the Organization is founded and on which your own relations are based. As a result, the OSCE is increasingly being used as a forum for mutual accusations and recriminations about violations of key commitments. Instead of real debate, we hear carefully scripted statements." -- Lamberto Zannier, OSCE secretary general

"Looking around the OSCE region today, it seems there is no end to the number of threats and challenges that we face. Conflicts have emerged and been fueled in the OSCE area, and along with them, all of the tragedies of war that we are all too familiar with." -- Christine Muttonen, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly president

"All across our region, we see rising levels of xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and other intolerance and discrimination against other minorities. We must counter this disturbing development and foster respect among our fellow countrymen and women for the principles we have worked so hard to develop at the international level, including at the OSCE." -- Greta Gunnarsdottir, permanent representative of Iceland to the OSCE

"The large movements of migrants and refugees are a serious political and humanitarian challenge... Dialogue between origin, transit and receiving countries should be enhanced." -- Augusto Santos Silva, Portugal's foreign minister

"I believe the OSCE can make a genuine contribution in minimizing threats, fostering reconciliation and conflict resolution as well as promoting a secure, safe and stable environment. There is one basic condition though: all participating States have to play by the rules." -- Witold Waszczykowski, Poland's foreign minister Endit