I wish to thank Mr. Gilmore, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, for his briefing on behalf of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The OSCE is an important organization for the maintenance of international peace and security in Europe. It is also a major partner of the United Nations. We value the contributions of the OSCE to preventive diplomacy, dispute settlement, post-conflict peace building and counter-terrorism in the Caucasus, the Balkans and Central Asia. China has always maintained that dialogue and consultations are the best approach to resolving differences and to preventing and settling conflicts. We encourage the OSCE to continue its efforts in that regard.

China attaches great importance to cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. The primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies with the Security Council, but the vigorous support of regional and sub-regional organizations is indispensable. Both sides should make full use of their comparative advantages and complement each other in a common effort to promote international peace and security.

Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore’s briefing to the Council today will help the Security Council and the OSCE to enhance their communication and coordination and to take their pragmatic and effective cooperation in maintaining international peace and security to a higher level. We encourage the OSCE to continue to make full use of its comparative advantages and to play a positive role in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.