OSCE, Council of Europe discuss closer co-operation at Madrid meeting

MADRID, 3 May 2007 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, San Marino Foreign Minister Fiorenzo Stolfi, and the Secretaries General of the two organizations, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut and Terry Davismet discussed closer co-operation between the organizations at a meeting in Madrid today.

"We need to enhance co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe to ensure that both organizations complement each other's activities and avoid unnecessary duplication," said Minister Moratinos.

Participants at the meeting welcomed the progress made in the four priority areas of co-operation, which include combating terrorism, and human trafficking, protecting the rights of national minorities, and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination. They also agreed to develop joint activities in the field of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue.

The Spanish OSCE Chairmanship drew the attention of the participants to the 7 and 8 June OSCE conference on combating discrimination and promoting mutual respect and understanding to be held in Bucharest.

The two organizations noted that they will closely follow the 12 May parliamentary elections in Armenia, calling them "a test of Armenia's progress along the road to democracy", and reiterated the importance of a joint observation.

Focusing on the political situation in Ukraine, representatives of the OSCE and the Council of Europe said they were confident in the political maturity of the Ukrainian people and in the sense of responsibilities of their leaders to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in line with democratic standards and the rule of law. Both organizations confirmed their readiness to offer assistance to the Ukrainian authorities if needed.