Interpretative statement at the MC in relation to the decision on the appointment of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE

In relation to the decision on the appointment of the of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM), we would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland:

We reiterate our gratitude to Malta's Chairpersonship for their leadership in forging consensus on critical issues, thereby enhancing the OSCE's effectiveness.

We regret that consensus on the leadership of the organization could not be reached earlier, leading to extended vacancies in these critical positions. This should not set a precedent for future similar decisions. 

We reiterate the importance of cooperative decisions on the leadership of the Organization and the autonomous institutions that should be based on individual candidates and their ability to support OSCE principles and commitments. As participating States, we should avoid politicization of the consensus-based process and return to the spirit of multilateralism that guides our collaborative decision process.

Furthermore, we as participating States should strive to ensure gender equality in the leadership of the organization, including by putting forward more women as candidates.

We welcome the appointment of Mr. Jan Braathu as Representative on Freedom of the Media. We reiterate our commitment to support the work and autonomy of the RFoM. We reaffirm our expectation, as set out in PC Decision 193, that the RFoM should be impartial, independent and objective.

In recent years, some participating States have misused consensus to prevent the allocation of resources to the third dimension. We reiterate our position that the OSCE should have adequate resources to fulfill its mandate across all three dimensions.

I have read a shortened version of this statement. I would request that the full version of this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and included in the journal of the day.