The delegations of 55 OSCE member-countries, including Croatia's delegation led by Tonino Picula, are discussing the reform of this organisation, models for the settlement of conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia, and Moldova, the strengthening of the promotion of human rights and democracy as well as the fight against terrorism and trafficking in humans, drugs and arms.
Commenting on the reform of this 30-year-old organisation, Picula told Croatian reporters in Washington on Sunday that "today, an impact of a multilateral organisation is not ensured by the number of its members or its long tradition but by its capability of adjusting itself to new political conditions, and this is where the OSCE will pass or fail".
Croatia is one of 16 countries where OSCE has its field operations. The mission in Croatia has been existing since 1996, which is why Croatia is very interested in the reform of the organisation.
"This is the most western mission of the OSCE and many wonder whether it has any meaning or purpose in a country which has the status of a candidate (for the European Union membership) and is waiting for the start of negotiations with the European Union," the Croatian parliamentarian said.
Picula believes that despite such dilemmas, the OSCE mission can be a good partner to Croatian authorities in efforts to solve issues such as the return of refugees, the reform in the judiciary, perhaps in the adoption of the media legislation, the building of civil society and regional cooperation.
"Croatia has reasons for being interested in the reform of the OSCE and supports that process as, naturally, only a reformed OSCE can and has the right to insist on reforms in countries in which it has field missions," Picula said.