(L-R) Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Visa Häkkinen, Finland's Permanent Representative to OSCE; Credit: MAE

On Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 February 2025, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, addressed the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Minister Bettel, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, is reported to have emphasised that the Council of Europe and the OSCE are two regional organisations sharing the same objective, namely stability and security in Europe. He added that they are also based on common values, such as respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

The ministry reported that Minister Bettel said that these common values are increasingly being undermined, both by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the challenge in several countries to fundamental rights and democratic principles. Minister Bettel stressed the importance of the Council of Europe and the OSCE as platforms for dialogue, bringing together 46 and 57 States respectively. Minister Bettel reiterated that support for Ukraine is a central priority of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The ministry added that, looking at the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency i.e. the Rule of Law and Democracy, Living Together, and Culture, Sport and Heritage, Minister Bettel stated that the Luxembourg Presidency has approached its semester in a spirit of cooperation, exchange and the search for consensus and unity with all Member States.

Minister Bettel then held a bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Chancellor of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg. Their discussion is reported to have focused on bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Austria, the political situation in Austria, as well as the main current European and international issues.

Minister Bettel also met with Luxembourg students studying in Vienna.

HOM