FM Paet Encourages OSCE Members to Join Convention on Cybercrime
29.11.2007
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the 15th Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Madrid on Thursday, 29 November.
OSCE reform, election observation missions, and the situation in Kosovo were on the agenda.
Foreign Minister Paet emphasized the importance of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). According to the minister, attempts to weaken the ODIHR also reduce the OSCE’s effectiveness, and the organisation must withstand such challenges. He also acknowledged the work of the Representative on Freedom of the Media in standing for free and independent media.
The Estonian Foreign Minister also encouraged all OSCE members to join the Council of Europe’s Covention on Cybercrime, which is open to nations that are not members of the Council of Europe as well. “Estonia has valuable experience in the fight against cybercrime, and we are prepared to share our expertise,” Paet confirmed.
The ministers also discussed how the OSCE mission in Kosovo plays an essential role in that region, and the organisation should continue its activities there. “The OSCE mission in Kosovo must continue, regardless of what solution is found for the future of Kosovo,” said Paet.
There are 56 nations in the OSCE, which currently has 19 missions in Southern and Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and in Central Asia. The OSCE presidency is held by Spain this year, and next year the presidency will belong to Finland.
