Mr. Chairman, Ministers, Ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen,
Only a few months ago, I had the honor to inaugurate in Madrid the first retreat of the Mediterranean OSCE Contact Group. Such occasion gave me the opportunity to commend the Austrian chairmanship for their leading role in the Mediterranean agenda of this organization. It is my pleasure to reiterate today my gratitude to you, Minister Kurz, and to Austria for your perseverance.
More than ever the security in the OSCE region is inextricably linked to the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean region is full of opportunities. However, the challenges are also numerous and serious.
The high quality political dialogue on Mediterranean issues with our partners of cooperation is crucial. Spain remains ready to find ways to reinforce the interaction between the main bodies of the organization, particularly the Permanent Council, and the Mediterranean Contact Group.
Mr. Chairman,
The crisis in Libya demands all our attention and resolve. I would like to thank Prime Minister Al Sarraj and Special Representative Kobler for their remarks. We need to broker a political solution in Libya based on the agreement signed last December in Sjirat. For this purpose, Mr. Kobler has our full support. The Libyan people need peace. They need to enjoy conditions that allow them to build an inclusive and democratic country. We stand with the Libyans in the combat against terrorism. Daesh must be defeated. In this crucial moment, the international community has to assist the Libyan authorities in addressing the array of challenges they are confronted to. Spain is willing to support any help that the OSCE could offer to Libya, either through political backing or through specific programs.
Mr. Chairman,
The large movements of persons, migrants and refugees need to be tackled with humanity and generosity. We are convinced of the importance of the role the OSCE can play in order to address these flows. We see possible contributions from the OSCE in areas such as the fight against human trafficking, border management and the need to uphold the human rights of refugees and migrants. As King Philip VI stated at New York’s high level meeting of September 19th, we must put an end to conflicts, defeat terrorism and contribute to the establishment of inclusive and democratic societies where life and fundamental freedoms are respected. We encourage you to work on a OSCE declaration on refugees and migrants as a follow-up of the New York Declaration. This would be a meaningful outcome of the Ministerial Council in Hamburg.
Mr. Chairman,
Youth demands an increasing and constant attention. Many problems youngsters face are the same everywhere: access to education, unemployment, hurdles for political participation, risk of radicalization or lack of opportunities for developing mutual understanding are a few examples of the hardships they have to overcome. Youngsters should gain ownership over their present and future, and public institutions should play an active role in facilitating this aspiration. Regional organizations like the OSCE can be instrumental for such an achievement.
Spain has significant cooperation ties on Youth with our Mediterranean partners. Accordingly, we would like to mainstream Youth in OSCE policies and projects within the Organization and with our neighbors. UNSC resolution 2250 and the two declarations of the Ministerial Council of Belgrade on Youth and Security and on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that leads to Terrorism set the appropriate frame for this work. As chair of the Group of Friends of Youth and Security of the OSCE, Spain has the intention to contribute to this goal together with the three special representatives of the Chairmanship in Office.
In this regard, I conclude by announcing two specific activities:
1. We will co-chair a side event in Hamburg to promote the Youth agenda.
2. It is our intention to host in 2017 in Spain a Youth Conference of the OSCE region and partners for cooperation. Youngsters will enjoy the opportunity to debate on political participation, on understanding among peoples of different religions and cultural backgrounds, or on preventing radicalization.
I invite you to work with us on the development of these ideas and projects.