VIENNA, 2 July 2009 - A two-day OSCE conference that starts on Monday at the Slovak Foreign Ministry in Bratislava will focus on how energy security in the OSCE region can be strengthened.

Experts and representatives from OSCE participating States will discuss ways to ensure energy security, prevent tensions and supply disruptions, and foster dialogue. Participants also will explore ways to collaborate in a mutually beneficial way.

The conference is jointly organized by the Greek Chairmanship of the OSCE, the Slovak Government and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Sessions will focus on topics such as reliable energy supplies as part of energy security, the sustainability of the energy supply chain and the vulnerabilities of energy dependence. The closing session will focus on energy security, the role and place of multilateral diplomacy and the way ahead for the OSCE.

Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut and Ambassador Louis-Alkiviadis Abatis, Deputy Head of the Greek OSCE Chairmanship Task Force are set to speak during the opening session.

On Monday, 6 July, journalists are invited to the opening session, set to start at 10:00 and a news conference set to start at 10:30. Opening session speakers will be available for questions in the foyer immediately after the opening session. On Tuesday, 7 July, journalists are invited to the closing session, to be held from 11:00 to 12:30. Journalists who wish to interview the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Goran Svilanovic, or other participants are requested to contact the OSCE press office at press@osce.org

The meeting will be held in the Slovak Foreign Ministry, Hlobka cesta 2, Bratislava.
The agenda is available on the OSCE website: http://www.osce.org/conferences/eea_2009_energy.html