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OSCE Chair to meet Mediterranean and Asian Counterparts
VIENNA 26 November 2000
VIENNA, 26 November 2000 - This evening, the Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will host a meeting with counterparts from the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia) as well as of the Partners for Co-operation (Japan, Republic of Korea and Thailand). This annual meeting will be held on the eve of the 27-28 November Ministerial Council. The Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Troika (Norway and Romania) as well as the Secretary General of the OSCE will also participate.
The Chairperson-in-Office will extend a special welcome to the Foreign Minister of Thailand, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, representing his country for the first time at an OSCE Ministerial meeting. Thailand became a Partner for Co-operation only two weeks ago, thus expanding the number of Asian Partners for Co-operation to three and, for the first time, assuring the representation of a country from South-East Asia in this group.
During the meeting, to be held in the form of a working dinner, the Chairperson-in-Office will lead a discussion on issues related to the work of the OSCE in South Eastern Europe and on human security. Both topics are at the core of OSCE and, because of geographical proximity and political interest, are of special interest to its Partners. The Chairperson-in-Office will brief the Ministers on the significance of the recent admittance of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the OSCE. She will stress the importance of the having all countries of the region again fully represented in the Organization. She will also point out that the vast majority of OSCE's field personnel is stationed in the Balkans. Another focus of the discussion is expected to revolve around the themes the OSCE will tackle at the Ministerial Meeting, in particular on children and armed conflict, trafficking in human beings and as small arms and light weapons. The Chairperson-in-Office considers these subjects of particular relevance in view of the possibilities for international action.
The Ministers agreed that the annual Mediterranean Seminar held this October in Portoroz, Slovenia on OSCE confidence-and security-building measures (CSBMs) and their relevance for the Mediterranean region proved to be an important platform for dialogue and exchange of views. It also provided a confidence building atmosphere between the participants in the Seminar, and was very useful in expanding dialogue on OSCE norms and principles.
The Ministers recognized with satisfaction that the relations between the OSCE and its partners are developing well. The Ministers were encouraged by plans for the two joint conferences between OSCE and two of its Asian partners, Japan and the Republic of Korea, respectively, in December 2000 in Tokyo and in March 2001 Seoul.
For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org
The Chairperson-in-Office will extend a special welcome to the Foreign Minister of Thailand, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, representing his country for the first time at an OSCE Ministerial meeting. Thailand became a Partner for Co-operation only two weeks ago, thus expanding the number of Asian Partners for Co-operation to three and, for the first time, assuring the representation of a country from South-East Asia in this group.
During the meeting, to be held in the form of a working dinner, the Chairperson-in-Office will lead a discussion on issues related to the work of the OSCE in South Eastern Europe and on human security. Both topics are at the core of OSCE and, because of geographical proximity and political interest, are of special interest to its Partners. The Chairperson-in-Office will brief the Ministers on the significance of the recent admittance of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the OSCE. She will stress the importance of the having all countries of the region again fully represented in the Organization. She will also point out that the vast majority of OSCE's field personnel is stationed in the Balkans. Another focus of the discussion is expected to revolve around the themes the OSCE will tackle at the Ministerial Meeting, in particular on children and armed conflict, trafficking in human beings and as small arms and light weapons. The Chairperson-in-Office considers these subjects of particular relevance in view of the possibilities for international action.
The Ministers agreed that the annual Mediterranean Seminar held this October in Portoroz, Slovenia on OSCE confidence-and security-building measures (CSBMs) and their relevance for the Mediterranean region proved to be an important platform for dialogue and exchange of views. It also provided a confidence building atmosphere between the participants in the Seminar, and was very useful in expanding dialogue on OSCE norms and principles.
The Ministers recognized with satisfaction that the relations between the OSCE and its partners are developing well. The Ministers were encouraged by plans for the two joint conferences between OSCE and two of its Asian partners, Japan and the Republic of Korea, respectively, in December 2000 in Tokyo and in March 2001 Seoul.
For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org