OSCE chair to visit South Caucasus countries

The current Chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, is set to visit Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from October 13 to 15. 

The OSCE confirmed the trip, which will see Valtonen hold meetings with senior government officials in all three countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

In Georgia, discussions will focus on the country’s domestic and foreign challenges, including continued OSCE support for Geneva-based international talks aimed at addressing the consequences of the 2008 war.

“Finland, as the OSCE Chair in 2025, places great importance on safeguarding civil space and ensuring favourable conditions for civil society activities. This priority will be highlighted during the visit,” the organisation said in a statement.

The agenda will also cover the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with particular attention to the completion of processes led by the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures.

This will mark Valtonen’s first visit to the region in her capacity as OSCE Chair.

Elina Valtonen was appointed Chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for 2025. She is Finland’s Foreign Minister and a four-term member of parliament representing the National Coalition Party. Previously, she served as the party’s deputy chair.

As OSCE Chair, Valtonen outlined Finland’s priorities for 2025, emphasising the importance of upholding OSCE principles and supporting Ukraine. She has noted that Europe’s security situation has not been so unpredictable or unstable since World War II.

By Aghakazim Guliyev