The Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference

1. Basic decisions

The Chairman-in-Office appointed as of 10 August 1995 a Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk of Poland was appointed Personal Representative in January 1997 after having been Acting Personal Representative since July 1996.

2. Tasks

The Personal Representative's mandate from the Chairman-in-Office is to:

• Represent the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, assist the CiO in achieving an agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict and in creating conditions for the deployment of an OSCE peace-keeping operation, in order to facilitate a lasting comprehensive political settlement of the conflict in all its aspects;
• Report on all aspects of his activities to the CiO of the OSCE, report through the CiO to the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Conference and, as appropriate, to the Minsk Group, and receive instructions from the CiO;
• Assist the Co-Chairmanship at its request;
• Assist the High-Level Planning Group in planning an OSCE peace-keeping operation in accordance with the Budapest Summit Decisions;
• Assist the parties in implementing and developing confidence-building, humanitarian and other measures facilitating the peace process, in particular by encouraging direct contacts;
• Co-operate, as appropriate, with representatives of the United Nations and other international organizations operating in the area of conflict.

3. Deployment

According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Government of Georgia, the PR established a separate office in Tbilisi as a basis and headquarters. In order to be able to conduct the operational activities defined in the mandate, the Field Assistants of the PR are present in Baku, Yerevan and Stepanakert/Khankendi.

4. Duration

No limitations as to the duration of the Personal Representative's mandate have been set.

5. Composition

The Personal Representative is assisted by 5 international staff.

In fulfilling their mandates, the Personal Representative and his Field Assistants should be given all necessary assistance to ensure that they have free access and movement in all areas relevant to carrying out their functions.

6. Financial implications

The OSCE Unified Budget for 2006, adopted on 20 December 2005, PC.DEC/712, established the budget of the Personal Representative and Field Assistants at EUR 986,900.