Тhe 19th OSCE Ministerial Council opened in Dublin on Thursday. Addressing participants with an opening speech, Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland’s Deputy PM and FM Eamon Gilmore called for further efforts to create a security community based on shared values.

He outlined progress made during Ireland’s 2012 OSCE Chairmanship on protracted conflicts, particularly on the Transdniestrian settlement process, where Ireland has shared its own experience of conflict resolution, as well as on addressing transnational threats.

Acknowledging ongoing difficulties the Chairperson urged ministers to work together to adopt a balanced set of decisions, including on human rights issues such as media and Internet freedom and combating racism and xenophobia, as well as on good governance and military co-operation.

Foreign ministers and top officials from the 57 OSCE member states, including Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian, are participating in the ministerial.