Thanks a lot Mr Chair. Minister Gylfadóttir – the UK is, and can remain, a steadfast supporter of the work of both Council of Europe and the OSCE. We offer you, and your team, our best wishes for your work in the year ahead. Thank you, Mr Seat. On behalf of the UK, I warmly welcome you, Minister ÞórdÃs Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir towards the Permanent Council. Thank you for outlining Iceland’s priorities at the Council of Europe and cooperation with the OSCE. The Council of Europe has been, and can continue to be, important to the UK’s human rights and foreign policy agenda and we were pleased to host the Council of Europe’s Secretary General last week. The Council of Europe and the OSCE share much typical ground – joint focus on serious organised crime, counter-terrorism, human trafficking and gender, alongside work on specific country contexts stands out. As both OSCE and the Council associated with Europe face up to a series of typical challenges this year, it is important that individuals continue to recognise each organisation’s individual merits and distinctiveness. We need to work in a coordinated way to employ the unique group of instruments and tools which each organisation offers to its participating and associate States. The longstanding connection between the OSCE and the Council of Europe is grounded firmly in the promotion associated with human rights, rule of law, and democracy throughout the continent and beyond. Respect for these common principles describes our shared endeavours in Vienna and in Strasbourg. We all meet today at a especially challenging time for European Security and while President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine continues. We are reminded that those common concepts and commitments are being transgressed on a daily basis and re-commitment to principles is needed more than ever. The launch of the Ukraine Plan of action 2023-26 underscores the united support for Ukraine. We look forward to Iceland hosting the Council of Europe’s fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government in May this year and also to concrete outcomes resulting from the Summit. It provides a delightful opportunity to re-affirm and market commitments to democracy, human rights and the Rule associated with Law and to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.
