Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Slovakia on July 9 to participate in a ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Representatives from 57 countries will discuss security issues in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will be a voice for Canadian interests in the region. Discussions will focus on the conflict in Ukraine and security concerns in the broader region; strengthening the OSCE's role in addressing transnational threats; and the importance of human rights-including LGBTQ2 rights-rule of law, good governance, and the economic and environmental aspects of security.
"International cooperation and multilateralism are pillars of our collective security. This week's meetings at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe are a valuable opportunity for Canada to work with like-minded partners to promote human rights and democracy around the world."
- Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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The OSCE originated in 1975 as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the conference was transformed into the OSCE. It is now the largest regional security organization in the world with 57 member states.
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Canada maintains a permanent delegation to the OSCE in Vienna, Austria.
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Canada is the sixth largest contributor to the OSCE.
