Latest news with #OSCE
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland does not satisfy international standard for election observation, group claims
The Government has been called on to reassess legislation around election observing after reported issues during the general election. Non-governmental organisation Democracy Volunteers sent a group of observers to Dublin and Kildare to observe but said that while the Government and "many individual returning officers" are welcoming, some were not. The group claimed Ireland does not fully meet the international standard for election observation as, in the case of a general election, observation is only possible where each individual returning officer gives their approval for it to go ahead. As a result, election observation can, and sometimes is, prevented by local returning officers, said director of Democracy Volunteers, Dr John Ault. "This is not an ideal situation as, despite the clear benefits of election observation, which the Irish Foreign Ministry contributes to around the world, as part of the EU and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) states, it does not fully allow observation of its own elections," said Dr Ault. "We therefore call on the Irish Government to reassess its legalisation regarding election observation to allow domestic and international observers full access to the voting process." Minister for housing and local government, James Browne, said his department actively seeks to facilitate the attendance of observers at any election or referendum whenever such requests are received. Mr Browne said requests from Democracy Volunteers have been facilitated in the past, including the most recent general election. The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights undertook needs assessment missions in advance of the last four general elections, Mr Browne noted. However, on these occasions it did not deploy full election-related missions with the last full mission taking place ahead of the general election in March 2007. Responding to a question from People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Mr Browne said there are no plans at present to amend electoral law regarding election observation. "The legislation is kept under ongoing review and my department will continue to engage with all organisations involved in observing elections with a view to facilitating any future requests to observe at Irish elections," said Mr Browne.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia loses US$450bn in energy revenue due to sanctions
Russia has lost approximately US$450 billion in revenues from its energy sector due to international sanctions, says Lieutenant Colonel Joby Rimmer, Senior Military Adviser to the UK's Permanent Mission to the OSCE. Source: Lieutenant Colonel Joby Rimmer, cited by the Ukrinform news agency Quote: "Russia's own population is becoming increasingly severe: Interest rates in Russia have surged to 21%, reflecting deep financial instability; 40% of Russia's federal government spending in 2025 has been committed to defence; for the first time in post-Soviet history, defence spending has exceeded social spending; Russia has depleted two-thirds of the liquid assets in its National Wealth Fund; and due to international sanctions, Russia has lost an estimated US$450 billion in energy revenues." Details: Rimmer stated that Russia's policies demonstrate the Kremlin's prioritisation of war over the welfare of its citizens. Background: Russian authorities are preparing to raise gas prices for industry to offset losses at Gazprom, which has seen exports plummet since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Western sanctions, including US measures targeting Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, have significantly reduced Russia's oil and gas revenues, a key funding source for its war against Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
OSCE blatantly ignoring Nazism in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is alarmingly indifferent to the resurgence of Nazism on the continent, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, Grigory Lukyantsev, has said. He made the statement alongside Russian and Belarusian delegations at a forum at the organization's headquarters in Vienna on Monday. 'The absolute indifference of the OSCE to the fact that Nazi ideas are being revived in Europe cannot but cause extreme concern,' Lukyantsev, who heads up the ministry's Department for Multilateral Cooperation on Human Rights, said. 'Historical truth and common sense as such are being sacrificed. Torch marches, aggressive nationalism, glorification of Nazis and their accomplices. The large-scale spread of Russophobia is a continuation of this criminal, unnatural tendency,' he said. The victory over Nazism in World War II 'laid the foundations' for both the 1945 UN Charter, and the subsequent Helsinki Accords, which underpinned 'security and cooperation in Europe,' Lukyantsev noted. The major Cold War agreement, which was aimed at reducing tensions between the Soviet and Western blocs, was signed in 1975 at the culmination of the first Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (now called OSCE). Yet, the West has attempted to 'usurp' the humanitarian rights agenda and 'subordinate' structures such as the OSCE for their own purposes, Lukyantsev said. 'The principles of relations between states enshrined in the Helsinki Act are applied selectively, filled with new meanings, and even completely distorted.' Russia has repeatedly attempted to push for a reform of the organization and 'give it a legal foundation and a Charter,' but every attempt has been stonewalled by the West, he added. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the OSCE, like every other Euro-Atlantic structure, has 'failed to strengthen security and stability.' Instead, these structures stoked international tensions, leaving the Euro-Atlantic community 'preparing for a new war,' the top diplomat said. In the lead-up to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia repeatedly accused OSCE observers of ignoring Kiev's attacks on civilians in Donbass. The West ignored Ukraine's repression of its Russian-speaking population since the Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, according to Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukrainian nationalists in neo-Nazi groups such as Svoboda, Right Sector, and Azov have committed numerous violent offenses, according to Russia. President Vladimir Putin has cited the protection of the Russian-speaking population of Donbass as being among the key reasons Russia launched its military operation in 2022.
Business Mayor
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Mayor
OSCE, Asian Partners Tackle Emerging Tech in Security
Over 140 participants from OSCE participating States, Asian Partners for Co-operation, international organizations, civil society and academia gathered in Vienna and online for the Third Inter-Regional Conference on the Impact of Emerging Technologies. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, in co-operation with the OSCE Secretariat and the Maltese Chair of the Asian Partners for Co-operation Group . The conference provided a platform for cross-regional dialogue on the security implications of rapid and exponential technological change, with a focus on the risks and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and digital innovation. Participants discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between the OSCE and Asian Partners emphasizing the use of strategic foresight to ensure that technological advancements contribute to peace and security. 'The growing linkage between the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region underscores the need for inter-regional co-operation rooted in trust. Only through sustained dialogue and joint understanding can we respond effectively to threats,' said Cho Koo-Rae, Vice Minister for Strategy and Intelligence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, in his opening remarks. 'As emerging technologies reshape our world, our commitment to dialogue, partnership and comprehensive security remains unwavering,' emphasized OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu. 'The long-standing OSCE Asian Partnership for Co-operation reflects our shared commitment to tackling global and interconnected security challenges inherent in the dual-use nature of technologies,' he added. Throughout the sessions, participants highlighted the importance of transparency, responsible innovation, and coordinated, inclusive policy-making. The discussions underscored that joint action is essential for anticipating and managing technology-driven risks, while strengthening the resilience of critical national infrastructure and democratic institutions. 'As Partners and participating States, it is our responsibility to harness these technologies judiciously, ensuring that we remain vigilant and adaptive in the face of evolving threats. By embracing innovation while upholding ethical standards, we can create a safer and more secure world,' said Lieut. Colonel Christian A. Zammit Cordina, representative of the OSCE Chair of the Asian Partners for Co-operation Group. The conference built on the outcomes of previous inter-regional conferences held in 2020 and 2023, reaffirming the steadfast commitment of the OSCE and the Asian Partners for Co-operation, to address emerging security challenges in a rapidly evolving technological landscape and encourage the use of the OSCE's extensive toolkit and experience in the three dimensions of OSCE's comprehensive approach to security.
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia says Ukraine must decide if it will discuss peace accord memorandum
Spokeswoman of Russia's Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova speaks to the media after a joint press conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu in Moscow, Russia March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo Russia says Ukraine must decide if it will discuss peace accord memorandum MOSCOW - Russia said on Tuesday that Ukraine had to decide whether or not it would cooperate in discussing a memorandum ahead of a potential future peace accord that Moscow has discussed with the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after a call with President Donald Trump, said that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a future peace accord and that efforts to end the war in Ukraine were on the right track. Putin said that discussions on the memorandum would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that she hoped Ukraine took what she called a constructive position in relation to possible talks on the proposed memorandum for the sake of its own "self-preservation". "Now, accordingly, the ball is in Kyiv's court," Zakharova told reporters, adding that it was an important moment. She said that after Putin proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine, Kyiv's European allies had tried to prevent the resumption of direct dialogue, but that the Europeans had ultimately failed. On newly announced European Union sanctions, Zakharova said Russia would never bow to ultimatums from anyone, adding that is was clear Europe wanted to re-arm Ukraine to continue the war. Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022, triggering the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the depths of the Cold War. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
