SOCIETY 372 /2017

DIPLOMATIE
OSCE
CURRICULUM
VITAE
ALESSANDRO AZZONI
was born in Parma, Italy, on
28 March 1965. He earned a
degree in political science
from the Faculty “Cesare
Alfieri”, University of Florence.
He entered the diplomatic
service in March 1991.
He became Chief of Staff of
the Directorate General for
Multilateral Political Affairs,
Italian MFA, in 2001 and was
Counsellor at the Permanent
Mission of Italy to the International
Organizations in
Vienna in 2004. In 2008, he
was Deputy Head of Mission
in Ankara, Turkey and was
promoted to Minister Plenipotentiary
in 2012. He was
Head of European Foreign
and Security Policy Division,
Directorate General for
Political Affairs and Security,
Italian MFA, in 2012. Since
2016, he is Ambassador and
Permanent Representative
to the OSCE in Vienna.
»The Italian Chairmanship will
focus on how to better address
the security challenges posed
by migratory flows coming
from the Mediterranean (...)
«
Alessandro Azzoni
picture above: September 25, 2017, during the OSCE
Mediterranean Contact Group meeting at the Hofburg.
picture below: Alessandro Azzoni; February 20, 2017
Permanent Council meeting on September 20, 2017
conflict. Italy will continue to support and defend
this Mission so that it can carry out its mandate in
full and in safety. At the same time, it will be crucial
for us to support the endeavours of the Normandy
format and the Trilateral Contact Group to
achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis. We call for
the implementation of the Minsk agreements, with
full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity,
unity and independence of Ukraine.
»We believe that
the unfolding of
the Ukrainian
crisis has demonstrated
to
what extent the
world needs the
OSCE.
«
Alessandro
Azzoni
Concerning the frozen conflicts in the post
Soviet republics, what is the main goal of the
Italian Chairmanship?
Italy recognises that protracted conflicts deserve
constant attention and to this end we will
commit ourselves to strengthening the OSCE activities
within the existing formats, such as the
Geneva International Discussions on the Georgian
conflict, the “5+2” negotiation format for
a resolution of the Transdniestran conflict and
the Minsk Group for the conflict over Nagorno-
Karabakh. While being fully aware of the sensitive
cruxes that underlie frozen conflicts we will
undertake all the required efforts to ensure their
peaceful resolution as well as the safety of the
people affected by the conflicts.
There were a lot of personnel changes during
Austria‘s chairmanship (new general secretary,
ODIHR-leader). Does Italy agree with these changes?
Italy has already expressed its approval when,
thanks to the Austrian Chairmanship and the
commitment of all the OSCE participating States,
consensus on the nominations was achieved in
a very constructive manner. We are looking forward
to work very closely with all of them. •
SOCIETY 2_2017 | 107