OSCE Chairperson meets U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, says strengthened Euro-Atlantic ties key to collective security

WASHINGTON, 25 February 2009 - Active U.S. engagement in the OSCE is crucial to facing collective security challenges, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, today after talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I was encouraged to hear Secretary Clinton's strong support for the OSCE, in particular for the Organization's work on the ground in Georgia, before, during and after the crisis," she said. "It is clear from my discussions with Secretary Clinton and others in Washington that there is broad agreement that the OSCE's presence in the region is needed more than ever."

Bakoyannis said they also discussed proposals for a renewed European security dialogue - the first high-level, multilateral discussion of which took place within the OSCE, during the Helsinki Ministerial Council in December - and agreed that it was important to take advantage of the forum provided by the OSCE.

"For over 30 years the OSCE has brought together the United States, Canada and Europe, including the Russian Federation and the rest of the former Soviet Union, to bridge differences, promote democratic standards and address common security concerns. The Organization remains the natural forum for a discussion on the future of European security," she said.

"The Greek OSCE Chairmanship is committed to maintaining this momentum and advancing our Euro-Atlantic dialogue."

Bakoyannis also met Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, and attended a working luncheon hosted by Under Secretary for Political Affairs William Burns.

The Chairperson-in-Office will address the UN Security Council in New York on 27 February.