Organization for security and cooperation in Europe in 2017 moves to Austria.

Axar.az reports that, Austria began the chairmanship of the Organization for security and cooperation in Europe in 2017, reports the website of the organization.

The Minister for foreign Affairs of Austria Sebastian Kurz said that now the OSCE three powerful challenges: the complicated crises and conflicts, the lack of trust between countries, as well as the growing phenomenon of radicalization and violent extremism.

“It is my firm belief that a strong OSCE is the basis for a secure Europe … Austria is willing to take responsibility and preside for the second time in the organization for two decades”, underlined Sebastian Kurz.

He also stressed that the OSCE can provide all the necessary tools to de-escalate conflict and create the opportunity to find sustainable political solutions to these conflicts, including the Ukrainian .

“We must do everything possible to prevent further escalation of armed confrontation, including working with established frameworks for the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the OSCE region”, – he added.

Austria intends to seek the easing of sanctions against Russia .