The fight against human trafficking must be given high priority

"The global fight against trafficking in human beings requires our urgent attention,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in his statement at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Ljubljana on Tuesday. He underscored that this is one of the most horrendous criminal activities of our time, and said that priority must be given to combating human trafficking.

“Criminal networks take advantage of people in poverty who are in search of better lives. What we decide in the OSCE is important. But concrete steps taken by each participating State are what matters,” said the Foreign Minister.

Unfortunately, there is an increase in human trafficking in connection with peacekeeping operations. In his statement, Foreign Minister Støre stressed that we need to cooperate with others, especially NATO, the EU and the UN, on combating this evil. He added that a common approach is needed to ensure that a common approach is needed to ensure that the presence of international troops is not a contributing factor on the demand side.