OSCE Permanent Council bids farewell to Secretary General Jan Kubis

VIENNA, 23 June 2005 - The 55 States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe bade farewell to the outgoing OSCE Secretary General, Jan Kubis, at a meeting of the Permanent Council here on Thursday.

"On behalf of the Slovenian Chairmanship, I wish to thank you for all the wisdom and advice you have generously shared with us and with the previous Chairmanships," the Chairman of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, told Ambassador Kubis, who is leaving after completing two three-year terms of office.

"Due to your experience, expertise and institutional memory, we have relied heavily on your personal support in the discharge of our duties. Whenever we were faced with difficult issues or when we sought advice, you were always there."

Ambassador Lenarcic said the OSCE had been evolving continuously and was now undergoing a reform process in which the outgoing Secretary General, a Slovakian diplomat, had played a major part: "When you look back, I am sure you can be proud of your personal contribution."

On a personal note, Ambassador Lenarcic said he wished particularly to thank the Secretary General for the last half-year in which Slovenia has occupied the Chair of the OSCE: "I had the privilege of working closely with you. I wish I could continue to be able to seek your advice, even after you leave."

The new OSCE Secretary General is Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, a senior French diplomat, who has been Director for Strategic Affairs at the French Defence Ministry since 1998.

Ambassador de Brichambaut began a three-year term with effect from 21 June. For further details, see

Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut appointed OSCE Secretary General