Statement in response to the Presentation by the Chairs of the Three Committees as delivered by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan at the 1553rd Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

12 February, 2026

Mr. Chairperson,

The Delegation of Armenia warmly welcomes the Chairs of three Committees and thanks for their presentations. We appreciate the consultative approach adopted in the development of the respective work programmes and commend the Chairs for their efforts in fostering substantive and inclusive dialogue.

Before turning to the specific activities of the Committees, we wish to recall that principles and commitments that lie at the very core of our Organization should continue to guide and shape our discussions on thematic issues across all three dimensions of comprehensive security. We strongly believe that early warning and conflict prevention mandates of the OSCE are among such core and indelible commitments. While we collectively engage in discussions on ways of strengthening the effectiveness of the OSCE, it is crucial not to lose sight of such foundational principles, not to sideline them or diminish their importance.

The three-committee structure of the OSCE is illustrative in this regard. It was created with the purpose and I quote to “report, provide advice, make recommendations and prepare relevant decisions for the Permanent Council.” The implementation of certain elements of this mandate currently faces substantial limitations and handicaps, however, the committee structure continues to work and serve the promotion of comprehensive concept of security.

Mr. Chairperson,

In the first dimension, we highly appreciate the leadership of Ambassador Neil Holland and value his regular written updates and recommendations. We support the Committee’s focus on the security implications of new and emerging technologies, including in areas such as border management, responsible behaviour in cyberspace, information-related threats, combating transnational organized crime, and preventing radicalization. We see clear value in exchanging experiences aimed at strengthening capacities, and promoting confidence-building and cooperation among participating States, while ensuring that new technologies are used in full respect for sovereignty, national jurisdiction, and in line with OSCE commitments, and other international obligations, including those relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We thank Ambassador Melita Župevc for her able stewardship of the Economic and Environmental Committee. We support maintaining a balanced approach between economic and environmental issues. Discussions on innovation and digitalization for inclusive growth are particularly relevant, as is continued work aimed at strengthening cooperation networks across the OSCE area. With regard to connectivity initiatives, we underscore the importance of inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory projects that respond to the needs of all participating States concerned. As Armenia will host this year the seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, we look forward to exploring opportunities for meaningful engagement and cooperation with the OSCE.

We thank Ambassador Olsson Vrang for her valuable contribution to the work of the Human Dimension Committee and welcome the assumption of its chairmanship by Ambassador Eglantina Gjermeni. We express our support to the topics of the work plan, including on advancing gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making processes. Xenophobia, intolerance, and hate crimes remain among the key precursors of conflicts and instability in the OSCE area. We therefore welcome the continued focus on tolerance and non-discrimination. It is also timely to examine challenges related to elections in the digital era and other issues where technological developments intersect with human rights and democratic governance.

Finally, we took note with interest of the joint meeting of the three Committees on anticipating technologies. We consider this cross-dimensional exchange a useful step toward the forthcoming conference in Geneva in May and an important opportunity to enhance coherence and cooperation across the three dimensions.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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