Minister Joly meets with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid

December 3, 2021 - Stockholm, Sweden - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a productive meeting with Helga Schmid, the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Minister reiterated Canada’s long-standing and continued support to the OSCE and expressed appreciation for the organization’s leadership role in promoting peace and security, human rights and democracy in the Euro-Atlantic region. She also underscored Canada’s commitment to gender equality and noted the OSCE’s efforts to increase women’s representation at all levels.

Minister Joly and Secretary General Schmid discussed pressing security concerns including the buildup of Russian troops and equipment near Ukraine and the troubling ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus. Minister Joly restated Canada’s support for the Minsk Group and its readiness to contribute to the Group’s efforts toward a permanent settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

They agreed to continue engaging with partners throughout Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia to advance shared security and human rights priorities.

Associated links

• Canada and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe