MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - The fact that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) does not have a legally binding charter is in fact its advantage enabling it to flexibly respond to various challenges, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, who is currently holding the post of OSCE chairman-in-office, said in an interview with Interfax in the run-up to his visit to Moscow.
"The OSCE acts based on agreed-upon principles and procedures, but they are not formalized as a legally-binding charter. This imparts certain flexibility to the OSCE, which is its advantage," Rau said.
"This makes it possible to better adapt the forms of actions and mechanisms to actual and often unprecedented challenges," he said.
"In the case of such a forum for dialogue and cooperation as the OSCE, which consolidates countries often holding radically different views, rigid procedures could even paralyze the organization's action. If there is political will to act, it should not necessarily be fulfilled only after completing legal procedures," he said.
"The OSCE, especially its independent institutions and missions, has repeatedly passed tests on preventing and resolving conflicts. The abovementioned political will of the member states plays a key role," he said.
"The organization has reaffirmed its ability to swiftly respond to security threats by initiating the Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue. This is a chance not only to comprehensively discuss security issues but also to enhance and renew the OSCE mechanisms, which would also help improve its efficiency," Rau said.