Thank you, Mr. Chair, dear Cristobal,
It is my pleasure to welcome Spain as the new Chair of this important body.
Next month will mark three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, three brutal years of Russia’s attacks on the people, infrastructure, and sovereignty of another OSCE participating State. Russia’s war of choice has killed and wounded hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and inflicted considerable pain and suffering on the Ukrainian people. This topic rightfully should remain at the center of our discussions at the Forum for Security Cooperation.
In 2024, Cyprus, Croatia, and Denmark ably led this forum through very difficult sessions marked by one participating State’s monotonous and persistent obstruction. We applaud Spain’s attempt to restart this dialogue and hope that we will see all participating States return to a tradition of discussing these vital security issues, which affect the strength, safety, and prosperity of all our citizens.
I welcome Spain’s choice of security dialogue topics for this trimester and look forward to exploring those issues in depth in the weeks to come. The United States fully recognizes the prerogative of the Chair to select the Security Dialogue topics, to choose the composition of the experts panel, and to maintain the good order and smooth operation of this forum. In this endeavor, Mr. Chair, you have the full support of the United States of America.
In the Troika, you have the tested experience of Denmark to draw upon. We bid Croatia a fond farewell from the Troika and welcome Estonia as yet another staunch defender of OSCE principles. I am confident that this forum will be in very good hands.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.