OSCE may join the Coalition for the Return of Children: meeting details

Meeting of Ukrainian representatives and OSCE

According to МЗС: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betza held a meeting with Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat Catherine Firon. The event was also attended by the Special Representative of the Chairmanship - Coordinator of OSCE Projects in Ukraine, Ambassador Petr Maresh.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of cooperation between Ukraine and the OSCE Secretariat, as well as the state of implementation of the Organization's project activities in Ukraine aimed at addressing Ukraine's urgent needs amid ongoing Russian aggression.

'Ukraine values the expert assistance of the OSCE in all three dimensions of the Organization's activities. It is important that the OSCE's expert assistance takes into account two main priority areas in the development and implementation of OSCE projects: overcoming the consequences of Russia's aggressive war against our country and promoting recovery; supporting reforms at the national level and the government's efforts towards integration into the EU.'

The diplomat expressed her gratitude for the readiness of the OSCE Secretariat to continue engaging assistance to implement relevant projects in the field of child protection. Taking the opportunity, the Deputy Minister welcomed the recent decision of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Mariana Betza expressed confidence that an important step in joint efforts would be the OSCE itself, as a regional security organization, joining this Coalition.

The interlocutors agreed to continue the bilateral dialogue to ensure the support of a high dynamics of cooperation between Ukraine and the OSCE Secretariat.

Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betza held a meeting with representatives of the OSCE, where they discussed issues of cooperation and project implementation in the context of Ukraine's needs amid Russian aggression. In particular, gratitude was expressed for the readiness to support projects in the field of child protection and to join the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children. Issues of reforms and Ukraine's integration into the EU were discussed.