Vatican city: In his address to the 31st annual Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and Other Organizations, urged member states to rise above their divisions and work together to confront the pressing global challenges of today, in the "Spirit of Helsinki."

As the OSCE approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Archbishop Gallagher expressed the Holy See’s deep concern about the increasing divisions among its members, which he noted were obscuring the foundational principles of the organization and hindering its daily operations in the face of escalating global issues.

"It is vital to preserve the Organization, especially at a time when dialogue, de-escalation, and détente are needed more than ever," Gallagher emphasized on Thursday while addressing the Ministerial Council in Valletta, Malta.

The two-day conference is attended by representatives from 40 out of the OSCE's 57 member states, alongside cooperation partners from Asia and the Mediterranean. The discussions focus on evaluating the current security landscape across the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions, addressing ongoing challenges, reviewing OSCE operations, and filling key leadership roles within the organization.

In his speech, Archbishop Gallagher highlighted the importance of adhering to the principles outlined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, which serves as the OSCE's founding document, to address contemporary global challenges.

He reminded the council that the Helsinki agreement, aimed at reducing Cold War tensions, was based on the understanding that peace is not merely the absence of war or the balance of power, but the result of friendly relations, constructive dialogue, and cooperation among states, with a strong commitment to international law and universal human rights.

However, he pointed out that this vision is now being undermined by the lack of procedural consensus within the OSCE, and, more significantly, by a growing breakdown of mutual trust, increasing ideological aggression, and a blatant disregard for these foundational principles.

Archbishop Gallagher specifically referenced the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as broader geopolitical tensions that have led to fragmentation within the OSCE. He also highlighted the prolonged delay in filling leadership positions and the lack of progress on decisions, such as the 2026 Chairmanship.

He reminded the Council that the OSCE’s strength and distinctiveness lie in its diversity of perspectives, which enhance dialogue and decision-making. He cautioned against turning the organization into a forum for like-minded states and warned that abandoning the pursuit of consensus could lead to the organization’s dissolution or distortion of the "Helsinki Spirit."

In conclusion, Archbishop Gallagher reaffirmed the essential role of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and negotiation. He urged member states to preserve its unique mission and called for renewed efforts to foster dialogue, de-escalation, and consensus-building, particularly in light of current global tensions.