Crises in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, the spread of Ebola, and instability in the South China Sea have created convulsions in the international system in the last year. At the same time, important anniversaries have reminded us of the dangers of drifting into war like in 1914, and the possibilities for peaceful change brought about by the revolutions of 1989. What will future historians say of the leaders of today? Were we able to pull Europe back from the brink of a major crisis? Or did we fail to live up to the ambition of our forefathers who, when drafting the Charter of the United Nations seventy years ago, were determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war?
Didier Burkhalter
Swiss President and Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
on the occasion of OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel, 4-5 December 2014
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