Minister De Gucht supports the vital role of NGOs in the context of Belgium's Chairmanship of the OSCE

BRUSSELS, 16 May 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, today opened a two-day international conference organized by the OSCE 2006 Coalition of Belgian NGOs and supported by the Belgian government.

The aim of the Coalition is to follow the progress of the Belgian Chairmanship of the OSCE - which runs throughout 2006 - with a critical eye.

Upon opening the conference, Minister De Gucht acknowledged the fact that the event acted as a bridge between civil society, the OSCE and the current Belgian Chairmanship. "This is most welcome," he said, adding that: "The OSCE deserves greater attention from the general public."

Minister De Gucht was also delighted that the initiative provided a valuable opportunity to take stock of the Belgian Chairmanship in 2006.

"Dialogue with NGOs will be a source of inspiration over the next seven-and-a-half months", he said. "This dialogue with civil society is much more than mere procedure. As regards substance, too, fruitful exchanges are in progress", said the Minister.

Relations with NGOs are particularly important to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. This interest is demonstrated not least by Minister De Gucht's ongoing contact with local NGOs during his various missions and by Belgian support for the International Helsinki Federation.