Minsk pointed to attempts to exclude the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus from the OSCE decision-making mechanism

They are trying to exclude Belarus and Russia from the decision-making mechanism of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). This was stated to BelTA on 11 November by Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, Permanent Representative to the OSCE and International Organizations in Vienna Andrei Dapkiunas.

According to him, attempts by some countries to revise the principle of consensus in the OSCE and actually exclude Russia and Belarus from participating in decision-making contradict the very essence of the organization.

"If someone considers the OSCE possible and desirable only as an organization of like-minded people, this is a very naive view of the world. Moreover, for the OSCE, this would mean the collapse of the organization, it is a path to nowhere," said Dapkiunas.

He also drew attention to the difference between the diplomatic practice of the Helsinki Act of 1975 and modern methods. Back then, negotiations were conducted behind closed doors and aimed at finding a compromise, while today, according to him, many delegations prefer "public diplomacy" and use meetings to demonstrate political positions on social networks.

"During the 50 relatively prosperous years of the Helsinki Process, many have forgotten that the Final Act was signed not only to celebrate a newfound sense of international unity, but above all to overcome alienation and hostility between opposing states," he said.

Election issue: OSCE ignores discrimination against Transnistrian residents

The unrecognized republic is already concerned about possible provocations on September 28.

Earlier, on October 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the cancellation by the Polish authorities of visas for Russian experts to participate in an event under the auspices of the OSCE was a blatant manifestation of arbitrariness. She stressed that the Polish authorities had shown complete incompetence and Russophobia by depriving Russian public figures of the opportunity to participate in the conference. Zakharova also recalled that such actions by Poland grossly violate OSCE commitments to ensure the participation of NGOs.

Dmitry Novikov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, said on September 26 that Russia is currently being prevented from influencing processes in Europe, which necessitates a discussion of the country's participation in the OSCE/ODIHR.

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