Opening Remarks at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Winter meeting

Opening Remarks at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Winter meeting on 20 February 2025 by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ms Elina Valtonen, were delivered by Permanent Representative, Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen.

Excellencies, Distinguished President, Secretary General, Ladies and gentlemen,

In 1975, the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act was in many ways considered radical. At the time, Europe was divided. Yet 35 countries agreed on principles such as territorial integrity and the respect for human rights. The adoption of the Helsinki Final Act was an expression of a common belief that transcended both borders and ideologies: the human yearning for freedom and peace.

The desire to live in peace, and the freedom to make choices regarding our future was guiding us back then - and is - the essence of OSCE’s work today. The people of the participating States deserve to live in freedom, peace and security, working together to build Europe’s future. I am more convinced of this than ever before having personally visited Ukraine and Moldova at the beginning of the Chairpersonship year. I wanted to visit these countries right at the start of our Chairpersonship to underline our support.

Almost three years have passed since the Russian Federation started its war of aggression in Ukraine. The war undermined the European security order. Russia is violating all of the Helsinki Principles: inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes, and other key values. Supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence is at the heart of our Chairpersonship.

Some might think that Russia’s actions rendered the Helsinki Final Act meaningless. But the principles and commitments of the OSCE have not lost their relevance. If one participating member violates against those, it does not make the rules void. On the very contrary. People in Europe now understand the importance of freedom even more clearly than before.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A stable and resilient society recognises plurality and extensive rights of participation. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law lay the foundations for stable societies.

The autonomous institutions of the OSCE, as well as the OSCE field operations provide invaluable support to the participating States across all dimensions and regions, for example through election observation, where the Parliamentary Assembly also plays a key role.

The Chairpersonship programme is built on three guiding principles: Respect – Respond – Prepare.

Finland calls attention to the importance of implementing OSCE principles and commitments. The OSCE offers a wide range of tools that help the participating States to walk the talk. The Secretariat and autonomous institutions are crucial in this work.

With respect to responding to today’s challenges, Ukraine is fighting to defend not only its independence and peaceful future, but also the jointly agreed security order based on international law.

Preparing the OSCE for the future is a challenging task for the organisation during 2025. The mere existence and continuation of an organization cannot be its raison-d’être. What role does the OSCE hold in the future?

In the short term, I am sure this year will be decisive for European security. There cannot be negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and there evidently cannot be negotiations on Europe without Europe.

The OSCE has never been an organization for like-minded States. Rather participating States, with varying national interests and concerns have come together and found a decisive common denominator: security and cooperation in Europe. The OSCE is a well-equipped and respected party to represent and uphold Europe’s security architecture.

In the long term, the OSCE needs to reform and adapt to our thus far constantly evolving security environment.

Whatever the future may hold, one thing is certain: there will be a need for cooperation to ensure the security of Europe.

The partnership between the OSCE Chairpersonship and the Parliamentary Assembly is crucial to our shared mission, and I look forward to our continued cooperation.

Thank you for your attention.