OREANDA-NEWS Russia calls on Finland, which will become the OSCE Chairman in 2025, to work to bring the positions of the Organization's participants closer, said Russian Permanent Representative Alexander Lukashevich.

The diplomat noted that the basis of the OSCE is consensus.

"This is how it differs from formats that work on the basis of the majority or operate through "stick discipline" as in the EU and NATO. In the OSCE, it is necessary to work scrupulously to bring positions closer, taking into account the interests of all participating states, and searching for a common "denominator". This, and not the broadcasting of "megaphone" appeals, is required from the current presidency, which speaks and acts on behalf of all participating States. We must constantly keep this in mind," Lukashevich said on Thursday at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in response to a presentation by Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on the priorities of the Finnish OSCE chairmanship in 2025.

The diplomat added that "the OSCE is facing existential threats."

"We still hope that the Finnish representatives will work for the benefit of the Organization, and not push it to the point of no return," he concluded.