Speaking at the 18th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, which took place on December 6-7, 2011 in Vilnius, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko stressed that the settlement of protracted conflicts, which threaten stability and security in the OSCE area, must remain a priority for all OSCE participating States.

He noted that during Ukrainian presidency in OSCE in 2013 Ukraine will exert all necessary efforts to promote peaceful settlement of conflicts. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the restoration of official negotiations in the format "5 +2" on the Transnistrian settlement. Ukraine takes part in these negotiations as a guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process. Ukrainian Foreign Minister also drew attention to the importance of taking concrete steps by participating States to strengthen confidence-building measures in the military field.

Ukraine expressed its readiness to support the activities of such institutions as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Minister Gryshchenko confirmed the consistent commitment of the Ukrainian side to strengthen the rule of law and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights. In the context of the Ukraine’s forthcoming presidency in the OSCE, as well as Ukraine’s joining the OSCE Troika as of January 1st, 2012, delegations expressed their willingness for joint fruitful cooperation with Ukraine to strengthen the effectiveness of the Organization.