Corfu, Greece - The Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) voiced reservations Sunday over a Russian proposal to remake Europe's security policies, saying existing institutions should not be disabled. "We agreed on the need for an open, sustained, wide-ranging and inclusive dialogue on security and concurred that the OSCE is a natural forum to anchor this dialogue," said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni, whose country holds the one-year rotating OSCE chairmanship.
"It is the only regional organization bringing together all states from Vancouver to Vladivostok on an equal basis."
The Russian proposal stems partially from growing fears of an expanding NATO alliance which could include the future entry of ex- Soviet state like Georgia. In response, Moscow proposed a new treaty on European Security which would grant equal status to participating countries and rule out military alliances.
But European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana said any new European security pact must also cover non-military issues.
"A new security pact must take into account not just hard issues, such as military security, but other softer issues, such as the economy and human rights."
"There are many areas of security we can develop further but we can develop these further without putting at risk the basic structures that have been providing stability for many, many years," Solana told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting, alluding to NATO's role.
The 56-nation meeting was held one day after NATO agreed to resume formal cooperation and diplomatic ties with Russia. Relations between the alliance and Russia were suspended for almost a year after Russian forces invaded Georgia after that country's troops attacked the Georgian breakaway province of South Ossetia.
But the talks on the Greek island of Corfu failed to come up with a plan to keep OSCE peace monitors in Georgia, whose mission expires Tuesday.
Moscow has blocked an extension to the OSCE's monitoring mission in Georgia unless the pro-Moscow South Ossetian region is internationally recognized.
It's refusal to extend their presence leaves the European Union as the sole observers to ensure that a ceasefire continues across the vast area.
Finland's foreign minister was also hesitant about Moscow's proposals.
"No one wants anything brand new - almost everyone says that existing security organizations in Europe are working quite well ... in other words, NATO, the European Union and OSCE," said Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb.
Bakoyianni said traditional security problems remained unresolved as new threats and challenges continue to emerge, such as protracted conflicts, the economic crisis, terrorism, trafficking and instability in neighbouring regions.
Russia and its western counterparts in the OSCE are expected to continue security discussions ahead of a December summit in Athens.
