OSCE Engaged in 'Diplomacy of Political Corpses': Zakharova

The OSCE is engaged in 'diplomacy of political corpses' as its representatives are not being heard, said Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With the arrival of Ms. Teresa Ribeiro (on the position of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media), I do not believe that this is a personal characteristic of hers; I think this is generally a changed vector within the organization itself, within the secretariat, with cardinal changes in her presidency,” Zakharova stated during a broadcast on Soloviev Live.

In particular, Zakharova noted that the OSCE has stopped responding to the materials sent to it by the Russian side. “The authorized representatives dealing with this or that mandate (of the OSCE) have died, they are not being heard, they are not visible, and unfortunately, this is not a neutral process,” complained the MFA representative.

According to her, visible processes within the organization are “associated with the complete degradation of this structure.” At the same time, Ribeiro's predecessor, Arlem Desir, was “a person who genuinely tried to look at things objectively,” said the Russian MFA representative. “He utilized the materials provided by the Russian side to prepare reports,” she added.

She stated that at that time, the OSCE showed balance in its members' interests, “not depending on the stance of one side or another.” “An international organization should not protect one state; it should be objective,” concluded Zakharova.