OSCE holds high-level meeting with Council of Europe, discusses way to boost co-operation

NEW YORK, 22 September 2006 - The OSCE held high-level talks with the Council of Europe yesterday and the two organizations agreed to keep boosting co-operation on fighting terrorism and trafficking in human beings, protecting national minorities and fostering tolerance.

The two organizations agreed on a Declaration on Co-operation in 2005 and hold regular meetings to ensure the two bodies' work is complementary rather than duplicating each other.

"Our two organizations cover similar ground from different angles. Our combined efforts are a powerful force for good cooperation across the European continent," said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.

The OSCE Chairman De Gucht chaired the talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who chairs the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers this year. OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut and Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis also took part in the talks.

Minister De Gucht noted the two organizations will hold their first jointly organized event on 19 and 20 October in Vienna - an expert workshop looking at how to fight incitement and related terrorist activities.

"This is a great example of practical co-operation on a subject everyone can relate to," he said. "It is very important for us to work together to promote security, peace and stability based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law throughout Europe without dividing lines and without exceptions."