Swiss Chair updates UN Secretary General on latest OSCE activities regarding Ukraine

Bern, March 2, 2014 – OSCE Chair and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter discussed the crisis regarding Crimea with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and emphasized the importance of coordination between the UN and the OSCE.

Burkhalter, in a meeting with Ban at the margin of a conference, expressed his deep concern about the developments regarding Ukraine and warned against any further actions which could lead to a dramatic escalation of the situation.
“The unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its existing and internationally recognized borders must be respected”, Burkhalter said. “I urge all participating States to respect the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and to refrain from any unilateral action which could further aggravate the crisis.”

He had a chance to inform the UN Secretary General on the OSCE Preparatory Committee Meeting on Ukraine which took place this afternoon in Vienna led by the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship, Burkhalter said. “I confirmed that first proposals on next steps and further activities put forward by OSCE participating States were presented, including possibilities for monitoring the situation in Ukraine.”  As a follow-up a  Special Permanent Council was called for by Switzerland for Monday, March 3.

Burkhalter and Ban benefited from the occasion to update each other on latest developments and agreed to keep each other informed and to coordinate, as events unfold.