number, fundraising data and campaign adds. watch c-span's 2024 campaign trail, today at 7:30 p.m. eastern on c-span. online at c-span.org. or download as a podcast on c-span now, our free mobile app, or wherever you get your podcasts. c-span, your unfiltered view of politics. >> will you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god? >> saturdays, watch american history tv's "congress investigates" as we explore major investigations in our country's history by the u.s. house and senate. each week, authors and historians will tell these stories. we'll watch footage from the time. this week the 1950's mccarthy

hearings. the senate committee explored whether communists had infiltrated the state department, army and other federal agent sis. the investigation resulted in the censure of wisconsin senator joseph mccarthy for his actions. watch "congress investigates," saturday at 7:30 p.m. eastern on c-span2. >> next a discussion with congressional lawmakers about european security and aid for ukraine with malta's foreign minister and current chair of the organization for security and cooperation in europe. this is hosted by the wilson center.

[background noises] >> good morning. to the wilson center here in washington d.c. we are established as a living memorial to the former president. that means we are congressionally chartered and fiercely nonpartisan. director of the global europe there was an we are focused on europe is addressing global challenges we face europe 30 are

and organization for cooperation in europe is a fundamental part of the. fifty-seven states to participate rotate the chairmanship of the organization annually. we are so delighted to walk in foreign minister to the wilson center tonight. a member of the problem since 2015 became minister for foreign affairs and trade in march of 2022 shortly after russia's integration of ukraine. we are delighted to welcome

ambassador and his wife. thank you for making this possible. also joining us today, true expert on the llc, a career diplomat and served as ambassador to informative. ninety-eight -- 2001 and went on to be court nadir of afghanistan and international narcotics law enforcement person so here's how this is going to go. i went to edit over and we will time for answers so be thinking of those who will have somebody

coming around with the microphone. don't ask it on the microphone, are audience will. you have the floor. >> thank you. good morning. it's a great pleasure and honor to be here. thank you for coming and i would like to thank the wilson institute court extending this invitation. thank you to the global program institute for hosting this event.

addressing last year. outside the political exercises, i'm sure we will have a discussion so thank you for being with us here this morning. this is a viable opportunity.

twenty-three -- 24 presiding over the council in this position. people productions. cap platform to exchange insights and discuss approaches. i will try to keep remarks, to exchange and. experiences and concerns and i'm sure it will enrich.

i still remember the beginning. when i look back on those years to mock the optimism. a strong sense of torts national order, democracy and fundamental freedoms in the presentational poverty and respect for the little international law and

widely believed that this would take a difference. i asked result is a public servant and politician to engage with people and their perceptions. through these interactions they are increasingly appearing to me. the sentiment conveyed such as growing skepticism toward peace and stability needs to remain

with each passing day. present global landscape for this. challenges and conflicts do little to dispel spheres. patients are extremely high. and uncertainty. after world war ii seen these initiatives and international organizations, promises and un resolutions.

the national order designed for future generations from devastating pain currently facing the most existential threat. not only to prevent conflicts foster lasting peace and their effectiveness. for more than two years we are witnessing the state of conflict. russia's war of aggression against ukraine goes back further but also serves our system on a daily basis.

the decline of peace and stability in the most threats to our security. despite the magnitude of challenges we are facing, losing hope and allowing it to pursue us cannot be an option. more frequently we have a commitment to peace and multilateralism elections. principles we advocate each. i think most of you here would agree with me say it for work

and the commitment purpose of their advice is precisely why for this year at the 11th hour. we have a vision strengthening resilience. we recognize our security is linked strengthens brazilians from our island nation in the history of resilience through perseverance and ability. what it brings to the oc.

we are determined to find attainable solutions, ability to operate and respond adequately and security landscape. acknowledge the significant challenges currently facing, they are not unique. most are under constant pressure. that said she onset particular challenges. these visions and innovation they deserve.

on these decisions in executive leadership. every participating state in any position. beyond the institution of challenges of the organization, the security situation dictating a major part of our agenda. russia's war against ukraine since the end of the second world war. i saw devastation during my visit to ukraine.

this work must come to an end. during my recent visits in serbia and kosovo, i saw implications of this and how it is affecting the region. as chair of the oc regarding the organizations and the elect. our messages continued. this is not option but it's

integral to restoring peace and security in our region. consistent and sensible position using a platform for accountability from acts and reach of commitments. in the face of these challenges, it's important to recognize is far from dormant. exceptional drop on the ground. fulfilling their mandate and provide direction government and

the organization. they are ensuring the organization effectively is making it lives. to follow the program across the three dimensions, political military and human dimensions. the organizations collaborative approach to security allows us more inclusive ability. this concept of security remains crucial in participating states.

they are graphs of skills to news. this is a dialogue driving initiatives, peace and security. in this framework, further institutions upholding democracy and human rights. and they are known for participating states and ensure the democratic sources.

the region it remains section of human rights and sanctioning moxie. as national minorities in this office, the mandate participating states without our permission is where issues arise preventing these exclamations. it has proven effective in various regions showcasing

stability. the parliamentary assembly brings together participating states while facilitating it works for the strengthening and the oc states.

freedom of expression. in participating states. in this role for open discussion especially and the organizations for future diplomacy engagements. with this, highlight the critical challenges, he will see

not only relevant work and continued support. available to the organization participating states and resilience and provide a glimpse or 2024 and look forward to this discussion. [applause] >> thank you for that brought overview in the challenges you face.

there is not a fire here but i do hope we have a comfortable conversation and you think about your work as chairman in office. i want to thank you for stepping up for taking this responsibility and this was civic national response ability and political vandalism. if you are in washington this week and i presume you're talking about bilateral issues with the u.s. government talk about issues.

... >> thank you, ambassador. as you pointed out, we had an organization crisis at the end of last year, because the russian federation vetoed estonia that was supposed to chair in 2024. as a new member and also estonia, we kept supporting them because we were more than sure about their capabilities to do this job impartially.

and also uphold the principles and values of the organization, especially keeping ukraine at the center of each and every discussion in vienna and beyond. and since our constant work up to the very last minute did not materialize and a consensus to have estonia chair the organization, one possible, or the only possible agreement of the participant states could agree on what was more. we are military as an trite and are constitution but definitely we're not politically neutral to

those breaching u.n. charters and international law. we decided to step in because the osce is still very relevant and we do need an organization that yes, in its name is focusing on europe, but it's beyond our continent because among 57 bodies face near states, canada, but also central asia which i think are very important partners in this organization. what do we need from the united states? well, i would say from each and every participating state, the

fact that 56 states but their trust in malta. what we are constantly asking from them now in vienna and also in the various capitals is there genuine and trusted support, transparent support in solving some of the critical decisions that we need to take on the organization. i mentioned in my remarks the budget, the new leadership, but also future chairs. thank god before the war in ukraine we already had an agreement on finland chairing 2025. but we would like to have two, three future chairs already agreed upon for better planning

and also coordination. so these are three organizational decisions that we are working on, and for which we need all participating states to agree. so the united states with also others are constantly being asked from our mission, from our directors to help with ironing out issues that exist, mainly trying to find a consensus on these players that can lead the organization that can chair it in the near future. but i mentioned 16 mentions and

various programs and initiatives that i had the opportunity to witness last week, for example, when i was in serbia and in kosovo, and earlier this year in kyiv. the united states was very supportive from day one, not only by placing trust in malta but also human resources and other advisors to face the responsibility. and we will also keep asking them for support. for example, when it comes to conflicts that are affecting those organization decisions.

we are having to know consultations on the budget. we had some disagreements by some of the participating states. next month we're going to issue a call for the affordable positions. our preference would of been last year was to agree on a three-year extension. unfortunately, we arrived with a one-year extension on the table. together with my predecessor we jointly met foreign minister lavrov 410, 15 minutes trying to convince him that the organization needs the current four players to stay and have continuation in these challenging times. we agreed on nine months, but

nine months and on four september so hopefully during summer we can agree. i'm not pessimistic. i think we're seeing also constructive approach from participating states to find consensus. my first minister meeting, i kept noticing, listening to my colleagues and ambassador center, if you can tell us your own experience, huge wealth of knowledge on the organization that you have. if we don't have the osce they we have to set up a new one. i only understood those messages when i started visiting missions, learning more about the programs, and how their

supporting the communities. for example, communities in pristina, working with local mayors, also from different ethnic groups. the support to media and journalists and helping governments reform their legislation being more open to criticism, being more open also to consider the media as the fourth pillar of democracy. seeing also programs with university students and how they can help in protecting the environment, combating climate change. because this is intrinsically linked, as a threat to security.

i saw the political mandate that our mission in malta when it comes to the settlement progress. progress. i met both sides, which was also a message of hope for me to see that use of mandate meant also 30 years of stability notwithstanding this big political conflict. so i'm now convinced more than ever that we do need the osce. the osce will not solve all the problems we have, but it is

deathly helping especially in preventing new ones. and possibly lead this platform for your parties to conflicts sitting around the table coming together and move forward. most probably the wider conflicts we are seeing will not allow us to see results in the year where we are sharing the organization -- chairing. but we can say that we were part of that chain that eventually led to also some conflicts to be resolved. ukraine is very much on our agenda, so when we are being

convened in vienna, ambassadors have weekly item on what is going on there and how would the support program for ukraine have around 90 initiatives, where 30 million plus, but the organization can and is also assisting ukraine with that extra budgetary fund to reform itself, to join the european union. working on detained children to come back home to their families and other areas. also of course keeping in mind ukraine needs much more than the osce ssns that it is getting

from allies, from the european union, trump the united states, and that is of course taken into consideration. at the role that the osce is playing there i think is also highly appreciated by president zelensky in his administration. i don't know if i dressed your question. >> you did. >> but we are looking for to the continuous support of the united states has shown us and also i encourage others to follow suit. >> you mentioned in your remarks about the field missions, and you talked about ukraine especially. i do want to get back to ukraine, but before that, you also talked about moldova and you mentioned that when you are in scope you you came to the conclusion that there wasn't an osce one would have to be invented. i've always thought also as osce

being if not unique at least unusual among international organizations. they can take risk they can do things that are a little outside the norm. is this a time to be if you are pushing the envelope in moldova and try to get some things done as you approach their presidential election and as things are moving in ukraine next-door? or is this a time to be steady and try to hold things together? >> very tricky question. which goes to confirm how -- also on the mandate, the organization has in moldova. i found both sides willing to have a continuous, stable period

where they can agree on some things, and we also identified with both sides some issues that may be discussed, mediated by osce, by our head of mission there. and the special representatives, but also possibly with my personal involvement with that so we will see how it goes. both sides showed their availability to meet and discuss certain issues. of course we have to keep in mind that the one plus one format since it the five plus two is no longer on the table at this very moment is moving

forward. we would like to see more beatings. we would like to see more decisions there, but it is still moving forward. and i think that is the most important thing. certainly the disputes and the process at the moment as the war still rages in ukraine initializes this was the best approach. but i see that there is a wait-and-see approach. and i think this is across the board. i'm not pointing fingers to any side. it's very clear that moldova is very committed to the european union, but this was very clear in my meetings with the

president, with the prime minister, also with my counterpart. they also dedicated a new deputy prime minister for european integration which shows their commitment. of course, democracy and they have also political timelines as you mentioned in your question. it's also clear to me that they know russia has no limits, and they are carefully noticing what's going on in ukraine, and also advocating for bigger support to kyiv in order to win

this war. they feel vulnerable in the region, and yes, they are reassured with the support from their allies and partners, a special relationship they have with lithuania. but it's clear to me that the issue is still pending, still very much in conflict, but they are dealing with it with a stable, rather stable environment. they are more focused in seeing ukraine win this war. so i don't think that we will

have any breakthroughs in the near future. but hopefully the osce and the dialogue there in the one plus one process with our mediation will keep things calm, as they have been through the 30 years of mandate. >> thank you. turning back to ukraine, you mentioned you were visit, the work that the osce is doing now, and you also mentioned the weekly political dialogue, if you will, in the public council on the issue. are there things that you can do, the organization can do, to get ready for the time when you might be called upon to help government some sort of peace agreement or some sort of cessation of hostilities that comes about through -- or is this just something we have to wait until things develop on the

ground before you can start to think in those terms? >> i would like to be in a position to say yes, and there is of the political will from our side and from the institutions of the organization to do so. but you cannot have an effective organization without an approved budget for three years, without having a secretary-general, without knowing who will chair the organization on one january next year. we have an agreement for 2025, but that's 50 years after helsinki and we already know it will be finland. but for the upcoming years as well. so i would like to think that the osce is the right platform for those discussions, for those negotiations to assist and facilitate the parties, but we

need to ensure that the organization is strengthened, is healthy and has the resources, the expertise which they, they are there and you know them, you have been there. but we are constantly risking losing these officials and expertise, and have a brain drain from the organization. they are still being paid with the rates of a couple of years ago. before we experience , before we experienced ukraine and, therefore, i see people that want to serve in the organization, want to continue serving in the organization but faced with opportunities in other multilateral institutions,

they also moving for better conditions. so having the budget approved, having new leadership that can be agreed upon by all the participating states, and also knowing who will chair the organization makes the osce prepared for that face. -- phase. whenever the opportunity arises. i mean, one day the war will be over and then we need actors to do that role. i am convinced that the osce place an important role during such phase let's hope we will have an organization within

enough resources to do that. >> very good. you mentioned earlier on about your repaired remarks and your response to the first question i asked you about how focused you were on issues in central asia. i know the central asian states are all looking south and concerned about the security issues that come from a potentially unstable afghanistan, the gender apartheid issues that are faced by about half the population there. in your conversation with the central asians, have they been asking the osce to play a role here, or to the want you to stay focused on things internally? >> i think the highly regarded the organization they are very active in vienna but also the missions we have there. and that is why notwithstanding the busy schedule i have, i will make sure to go meet my

counterparts of there. i had talks with them in skopje before we started our mandate and also some politicized during conferences where foreign ministers were convening. but my ambassadors keep telling me how willing they are to engage more with the west, with the rest of the participating states, from european union and also transatlantic. as you said, they are concerned, concern when they looked south but also concerned when they look north. and i think it would be a mess for us if we don't dedicate

enough time to keep an open channel with them, show our commitment and be there trusted partner. definitely there are reforms to be made and also various issues that the independent institutions constantly look at. challenges that we all face in our society, not only central asia. but with particular attention on human rights, governance, freedom of the media and so on.

and there are very -- they are very receptive. they want the organization to work hand in hand with them. they want to chair in the coming future. they are forthcoming with the budget negotiations. so if we don't engage in this organization with them, then where can we partner with these countries? yes, there is the u.n., but it's a different ballgame. so i think strengthening the partnership would be, central asian countries, is one of the priorities for us europeans at

the osce. >> good. turning back to in a slightly different direction. you have just had the 20th anniversary anti-semitism conference. >> correct. >> this is an organization the osce has taken on, particularly in aftermath of the events of october 6 and the military activities in gaza, at the summit is both and in europe has been an issue that we've confronted in much giveaways that it think we anticipated a year or two ago. so how do you see the osce play a positive role in developing the ability of its participating states that deal with this issue that just will not go away? >> i think a week ago it was a day to remember for us but also

for the rc when we celebrated the 20th anniversary in malta with a meaningful conference, which was very well attended. and we also high level exchanges, bilateral meetings on combating anti-semitism, and other religious beliefs. i have to say we stressed on interfaith discussion also because as chair-in-office when have three special representatives. the one combating anti-semitism but also discrimination against muslims and also hate speech against -- so the work that the three ambassadors are doing in

not only, not only educating our societies and also arming the institutions how to report, how to tackle such hate speech, the reporting is very, very important. and osce is one of those organizations that not only has of the data but also actions as well. because as you rightly so pointed out after the terrorist attacks by hamas on the seventh of october, we saw an exponential increase of hate speech towards the three religions, especially also anti-semitism.

and, and that is why the osce have a comprehensive approach towards security is crucial. i saw this also on the ground, these works on the ground when i was in pristina. of course, not at the summits is challenges there exists with the serbian orthodox church there the conference hopefully served to re-energize the organization to have discussions, to look at its toolbox, toolkit, and also

empower the special representatives to be more effective. i believe that national governments through their own institutions have to play an important role in combating anti-semitism and also hate speech towards other religious beliefs. a multilateral organization on its own cannot solve that problem on its own. but they are definitely the roots of many of the conflicts that we are witnessing. >> thank you. we have been told that i have rudely dominated the conversation and we have to bring it to a conclusion. mr. minister, thank you so much has been a time with us today. >> thank you. >> and for giving us your views.

we all i think speed is you all asked me question hope afterwards i have the time in private to ask you some questions, words of advice knowing your knowledge and experience in the organization. >> thank you very much. >> thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

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