Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the vacant leadership positions at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the operational capability of the OSCE; and what discussions they are having with OSCE participating states about (1) filling those positions promptly, and (2) mediating hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

For each of the top four leadership positions at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), deputies are acting as Officers in Charge and are ensuring their institutions continue to deliver on their mandates. Our mission in Vienna is in regular contact with them and continues to work with like-minded States to provide support when required. The process to appoint new Heads is already underway, led by OSCE Chair-in-Office, Albania. We are engaging with participating States and Albania to support this process and help identify those nominees best qualified for the roles and who share our core values on democracy, rule of law and freedom of media. Appointments are confirmed by consensus of all 57 states, ideally in early December ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council.

At the 29 September meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, the UK urged de-escalation of the current hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan and a resumption of dialogue. UK Ministers and officials are engaging actively with partners in support of the OSCE Minsk Group efforts to ensure a negotiated, peaceful settlement to the conflict. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and Americas raised UK concerns over civilian casualties and fatalities with both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers on 28 September, urging both to return to the negotiating table. The Prime Minister spoke to President Erdogan on 28 September.