OSCE Chairman congratulates UN Secretary-General designate Ban Ki-moon

BRUSSELS, 17 October 2006 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General designate, congratulating him on his appointment on behalf of the OSCE and its 56 participating States.

"As you are aware, the OSCE is the world's largest and most inclusive regional organization under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter," wrote Minister De Gucht. "Its core mandate is to promote security through co-operation. This is, indeed, a matter of constant attention, continued investment and common responsibility, for the OSCE as it is for the United Nations."

The Chairman-in-Office also recalled that in his address to the UN Security Council on 20 September, he spoke about the co-operation between the UN and regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, using the opportunity to reaffirm the partnership that exists between the two organizations.

In March, the OSCE Permanent Council, the Organization's main decision-making body, adopted a declaration on co-operation with the United Nations in response to calls from the UN to further strengthen co-operation with regional and subregional organizations.

Minister De Gucht also said he was pleased with the productive co-operation with the UN in many fields, including in the fight against organized crime, strengthening a transport dialogue as well as promoting tolerance and democratization.

Reaffirming his personal commitment to the partnership, De Gucht added: "I am convinced that in your able hands this partnership will remain vibrant and will benefit our common work towards peace and security."