Russia urges OSCE nations to follow principles of Helsinki Final Act

Russia urges all the countries of the Asian-Atlantic region to follow principles of the Helsinki Final Act and all political obligations of the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), that changed its name to the current Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in December 1994. At the same time, Moscow reminds of double standards in implementation of provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, which may trigger security risks, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday in a statement timed to the 40th anniversary of the CSCE Final Act, signed in 1975.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that the document "is of paramount importance and is a symbol of dйtente and consent."

"It has played a great role in the life of modern Europe and has become one of the foundations of the contemporary global architecture," the diplomats said.

"Russia is overwhelmingly committed to the ‘Decalogue’ principles, governing relations between the states, and to all political obligations of the CSCE/OSCE," the Russian foreign ministry said. "We call on all the countries of Asian-Atlantic community to follow the spirit and the letter of these obligations and principles. The history shows that double standards and a selective approach to their application along with attempts to strengthen own security on behalf of others and to interfere into internal affairs of other states trigger risks to stability of the whole Europe."

Russia calls for the OSCE more intensive role and higher authority in international affairs and for its stronger voice as a forum of political dialogue and decision-making on the most pressing issues of security and cooperation.

"We strongly feel that leaning on unifying foundations of the Helsinki process laid out by leaders of Euro-Atlantic nations 40 years ago, due to diligent reflection of a political will, maturity and wisdom would allow to overcome all crises and would serve for formation of a common space of indivisible security and mutually beneficial, equal partnership in our continent," the ministry said in conclusion.