OSCE unites on steps to ensure press freedom and respect for religious and other beliefs

VIENNA, 17 February 2006 - An informal OSCE meeting, called by the Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, yesterday discussed the valuable contribution the Organization might make in response to the controversy over the recently-published cartoons.

"The need for inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue was clearly and repeatedly voiced by participants," said Minister De Gucht. "As Chairman-in-Office I will do everything in my power to ensure that the OSCE plays a full role in helping to turn this crisis into an opportunity to strengthen mutual respect and understanding."

Among possible short- and long- term steps, mentioned by the participants, were support to the Alliance of Civilizations initiative of the United Nations, a proposal for media, religious leaders and civil society from all 66 States to meet within the framework of the OSCE, and a study of existing self-regulatory systems of the media, with a view to better understanding the relationship between media freedom and responsibility.

Participants included the OSCE's 55 participating States and their 11 Partners for Co-operation, as well as the Chairman-in-Office's three Personal Representatives on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Secretary General.