Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Security Council Meeting on the Organization for Security

and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

29 February 2016

 

       Señor Presidente Embajador Rafael Ramírez, Tengo el honor de dirigirme en el último día de su Presidencia.

 

        I would first like to welcome Foreign Minister of Germany to the Security Council. I thank him for his comprehensive briefing on OSCE’s priorities in 2016, as chair of the OSCE. Japan became the first OSCE Partner for Co-operation almost 25 years ago, in 1992. Since then, Japan has always participated in OSCE Summits and Ministerial Councils at high level. We already hosted four Japan-OSCE Conferences and we are convinced that Asia and Europe have a lot to learn from each other. With the members of the OSCE, Japan shares fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and basic human rights. Japan will continue to be an active partner with the OSCE.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

       I wish to touch upon the situation in and around Ukraine, which Minister Steinmeier referred to.

 

       First of all, we will not accept any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Ukraine or any other country or region in the world. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected. We commend dedicated efforts thus far made by the OSCE and its Chairperson-in-Office on Ukrainian issue. The role played by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) continues to be critical. In order to support this mission, Japan has contributed two million euros and has been sending a regional expert to the SMM since last August. We are concerned that the SMM continues to report systematic disruption of gaining access to certain areas. Japan would like to stress that SMM observers must be given full and unrestricted access to the entire conflict zone.

 

       This month marks one year anniversary of the signing of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements. However, the situation in Ukraine is far from a final resolution. It is unfortunate that the number of violations of ceasefire agreements reported by the SMM has recently increased. The Minsk Agreements are the only guidelines for the improvement of the situation in Ukraine. Japan urges all parties to fully and promptly implement the Minsk Agreements.

 

Mr. President,

 

        Counter-terrorism is one of the areas in which the OSCE is playing an important role. We believe that strengthening of border control is among the most effective counter-terrorism measures. This is why Japan has been supporting financially the OSCE Border Management Staff College since 2013.

 

       I wish to add that Japan values cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations under the framework of the Chapter VIII of the Charter.

 

       Finally, I wish Minister Steinmeier success during his chairmanship and assure him of Japan’s support to him and to the OSCE.

 

       Le agradezco, Señor Presidente.