2nd LD Writethru: 23rd OSCE ministerial meeting closes in Hamburg

The 23rd ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the world's largest regional security organization, closed Friday with some consensuses being reached among its member states.

Despite "marked differences" over the past two days, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said ministers attending the meeting shared views on the Ukraine crisis, migration, terrorism, cyber issues and OSCE development.

Ministers agreed that all sides of unresolved regional conflicts in the OSCE area should contribute to conflict de-escalation and peaceful settlement, and expressed support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements in terms of Ukraine crisis.

The ministers acknowledged the joints efforts being pursued within the OSCE to face transnational threats and challenges including terrorism, extremism, radicalism, and cyber issues.

They referred to the OSCE's role to address large movements of migrants and refugees. Most of the ministers also underlined the confidence and security building within the organization.

Most of the ministers also underlined the confidence and security building measures (CSBM) within the organization.

The so-called incoming Troika, composed of Germany, Austria and Italy, the latter two of which are to chair the OSCE in 2017 and 2018, approved a declaration at the end of meeting.

The Troika called for all members of the OSCE to expand communication channels, invest in sustainable conflict resolution, revive conventional arms control in Europe, set a new common agenda in the face of new challenges, enable the OSCE by providing financial, political and manpower support.

Steinmeier is this year's chairperson in office of the OSCE as Germany assumed the chairmanship of the OSCE in 2016. The chairmanship will be held by Austria next year. Endit