Belgium to host 14th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting on 4 and 5 December

BRUSSELS, 6 November 2006 - The 14th Ministerial Council meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place in Brussels, Belgium on 4 and 5 December 2006, at the invitation of the Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht.

The OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization, with 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America. It is active in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Its annual meeting provides the Foreign Ministers of its 56 participating States the opportunity to review and assess its activities during the past year and to offer their national viewpoints on issues of security. They may set new goals and decide on concrete measures to augment the Organization's capacity to take action in particular areas of concern or to meet new challenges.

Representatives from print, radio and TV media are invited to cover the event, which will be held in the Brussels Exhibition Centre (Heysel). A fully-equipped Press Centre will be set up in Hall 11.

As security will be strict, advance accreditation for media representatives is highly advisable and will require the completed form to be submitted with a digital photograph of the applicant by e-mail. The deadline for receipt of these applications is 24 November 2006.

Full details of accreditation procedures and information on accommodation, visa formalities and press facilities are available on the OSCE Ministerial Council website 14th OSCE Ministerial Council Brussels, 4 and 5 December 2006

Please note that journalists accredited to the OSCE in Vienna or in any other OSCE locations still need special accreditation for the Ministerial Council.

Media representatives should consult the nearest Belgian Embassy to check if they need an entry visa prior to their arrival in the country. A list of these can be found at
http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/visa/default.asp

Five hotels offering special rates have been selected for media representatives. To obtain the rates, room reservations must be made before 8 November. For more information and a booking form, please consult the website.