OSCE Chairman pledges to focus on boosting democratic values in 2007

MADRID, 2 January 2007 - The new OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, has pledged to focus on consolidating and deepening democratic principles and values during Spain's chairmanship of the world's largest regional security organization.

Spain took over the 12-month OSCE Chairmanship from Belgium on 1 January, with Minister Moratinos succeeding Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht as Chairman-in-Office.

"On assuming the post of Chairman-in-Office for 2007, allow me to express my fervent desire for peace and prosperity for the whole OSCE family and assure you of my firm determination to work toward consolidating and deepening the democratic principles and values that are our common goal and to ensure our Organization is the major guarantor of our security," said the Spanish Chairman-in-Office in a New Year letter to the OSCE's 56 participating States.

Minister Moratinos, whose full title is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, will present Spain's priorities for the Chairmanship to the participating States at a meeting of the Permanent Council on 11 January in Vienna.

Journalists will be invited to attend the 11 January meeting of the Permanent Council, the OSCE's main regular decision-making body, and a news conference with the Chairman-in-Office.