The European Union highly “values” the Swiss Chairmanship for its efforts with regard to the crisis in and around Ukraine, and welcomes the commitment of the incoming Serbian Chairmanship to maintain a strong focus and balanced approach to this crisis, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.

“We trust that the incoming Chairmanship will do its utmost to uphold the OSCE principles and commitments,” Mogherini said at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel.

Serbia is taking over the OSCE Chairmanship on January 1.

Mogherini said that the crisis in Ukraine has underlined the value of the OSCE concept of comprehensive security

“Ukraine has shown that there can be no lasting security and stability without good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We therefore remain extremely concerned by the trend that OSCE principles and commitments are increasingly challenged in parts of the OSCE area,” Mogherini said.

The crisis has also proved the “value of OSCE field operations,” Mogherini said, adding that the European Union “support the impartial work of the Special Monitoring Mission and commend its reporting activities and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances.”

“It is clear that little can be achieved without Russia’s genuine commitment and constructive engagement. Russia needs to assume and exercise its responsibilities. The inflow of weapons, equipment and troops from across the Russian border must be halted,” Mogherini said.

She added that the EU, “equally … call for the withdrawal of any illegal and foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment from eastern Ukraine.”

“The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in its efforts and calls for the resumption of a genuine national dialogue,” she said.

She insisted that “the erosion of trust we are witnessing today can only be overcome by restoring respect for the basic principles of the OSCE and by genuine, open dialogue.”

Mongherini warned that the crisis in Ukraine “is not the only conflict on our agenda.”

“It is also important to achieve tangible progress in the resolution of the protracted conflicts in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Time is not on the side of peace, and we know that very well,” she insisted.

More at:  http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141204_01_en.htm