OSCE Secretary General underscores importance of strengthened multilateral co-operation in Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Deputies address

STRASBOURG, 1 July 2026 – OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu addressed the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers Deputies in Strasbourg today, highlighting the importance of strengthened co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe in responding to today’s complex challenges.

The Secretary General emphasized that, in an increasingly fragmented and polarized geopolitical landscape, stronger co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe is essential.

“The OSCE and the Council of Europe were born in different contexts and for different purposes. Over time, they have evolved in different directions.  But they both stemmed from the conviction that the European continent needed fora to address common challenges together. That vision remains as relevant as ever in the current polarized and fragmented geopolitical environment,” said Secretary General Sinirlioğlu.

On the margins of the meeting, OSCE Secretary General Sinirlioğlu met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset. Their discussion focused on strengthening co-operation between the two organizations and advancing joint efforts to address shared security challenges.