Belarus: Expulsion of Last Advisory and Monitoring Group Staff Member

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We have little to add to what has been repeatedly stated over many months in this room by you, ourselves, and other delegations regarding Belarus' decision to expel the last AMG [Advisory and Monitoring Group] international staff member -- all of which makes a travesty of Belarus' commitment to cooperate with the OSCE and demonstrates its contempt for the decisions of this Permanent Council.

Belarus' claim that its concerns about the AMG have gone unaddressed ring hollow in the face of the Chair's constant, determined efforts to forge a resolution and Belarus' refusal to engage in serious discussions.

Although we welcome the recent letter from Foreign Minister Khostov to the Chair, this is not a moment for more words but for action -- by Belarus first and foremost -- but failing that by the Chair, this Permanent Council, and its participating States.

We understand the Chair has decided to send Secretary General Kubis to Minsk. We wish him well. Since it is clear that a definitive answer to this matter lies in Minsk, not here, we hope that the Chair will follow up the Secretary General's visit by sending a senior delegation to Minsk.

However, if Belarus fails to seize the opportunity that a delegation sent by the Chair represents, we frankly believe the time will have arrived for action on the part of the Chair, the Permanent Council, and participating States. It will not be acceptable for Ministers of participating States to gather in Oporto in the spirit of cooperation that normally underlies our work here, absent a resolution to this matter.

Mr. Chairman, last week the Belarus delegation advised us it would inform its government of concerns expressed here regarding recent beatings of political figures, as well as the disappearance of political figures, and provide us with a response. We would welcome that response from Belarus today.

Thank you.