OSCE Secretary General expresses condolences to Germany on passing of Hans-Dietrich Genscher

Vienna, 1 April 2016 - OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today expressed deep sadness as news of former German Foreign Affairs Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher’s passing was announced. He extended his heartfelt condolences to OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the family and friends of the late minister, and to the German people.

“Minister Genscher’s name, actions and legacy are and will forever remain closely linked to the OSCE and his passing leaves a great void in our extended family of 57 participating States. He was a great statesman and a friend of the OSCE, who helped to realize the promise of the Helsinki Final Act”, said Zannier.  

Recalling Genscher’s statement, in 2009, that “the task of the OSCE did not come to an end with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, and the Organization remains a wonderful platform for shaping the future of Europe”, the OSCE Secretary General stressed that the German minister’s spirit would continue to inspire and guide the Organization.

“Today more than ever, at a time when new divisions and challenges threaten the stability and unity of the OSCE region, the historical role played by Minister Genscher needs to serve as an example of leadership and vision.  We should not betray his legacy”, said Zannier.

Hans-Dietrich Genscher, who served as foreign minister for 18 years, played a leading role in the development of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) and was West German foreign minister when the Helsinki Final Act was signed in 1975. He later served as the first Chairman-in-Office of the CSCE, which became the OSCE in 1995.