Minister Dion to focus on international security priorities at Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Ministerial Council
News Release
December 7, 2016 - Brussels, Belgium - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that he will attend the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Hamburg, Germany, from December 8 to 9, 2016, following the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
The OSCE Ministerial Council is an opportunity for ministers from 57 participating states to focus on security issues, including conventional arms control, violent extremism and human rights.
Resolving the Ukraine crisis remains a matter of central importance to the OSCE’s discussions and work. Minister Dion will reaffirm Canada’s continued support for Ukraine and press for a resolution to the conflict that fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Crimea.
Minister Dion will also meet with several counterparts to discuss important matters affecting the OSCE, such as conventional arms control, conflict prevention, democratic values and human rights, including the promotion of respect for diversity, acceptance of differences and inclusion.
Quotes
“The OSCE works toward stability, peace and democracy, values that are at the core of Canada’s foreign policy. As a member of the OSCE, we are supporting and advancing Canada’s international security priorities with respect to human rights, fragile states, democracy, post-conflict rehabilitation, border security, disarmament, trafficking and conventional arms control in Europe, Russia and central Asia.”
- Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- The OSCE is the regional security organization that provides a forum to serve as a bridge for building security cooperation among countries in North America, Europe and central Asia, including Russia.
- The OSCE works on early warning and prevention of conflict, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in Europe, the Caucasus and central Asian regions, including Russia.
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Contacts
Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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