Bulgaria calls for expanded OSCE role at anniversary meeting

Ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine is placing Europe in one of its most uncertain periods in decades, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said at the annual meeting of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The forum, held in Vienna under Finland’s chairmanship, was reported by the Bulgarian foreign ministry.

“As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which established the principles of Europe’s security architecture, discussions were once again dominated by Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine and its destructive impact on Europe’s security and the organisation itself,” the ministry said.

As part of a debate launched in 2025 on modernising and improving the OSCE’s work, Georgiev said efforts should focus on preserving the organisation’s fundamental role as a platform for dialogue, conflict prevention and accountability for violations of the Helsinki principles.

Before the meeting, Georgiev attended an informal dinner with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, focused on solidarity with Ukraine and ways to increase OSCE support, including for future reconstruction and building resilience in the post-war period. Senior diplomats from dozens of OSCE member states said the organisation was ready to take on a monitoring role should a ceasefire in Ukraine be reached.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov

Posted in English by E. Radkova