OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes appointment of European Council President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

ATHENS, 20 November 2009 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou, welcomed today the political agreement reached by the European Union's Heads of State or Government to appoint the President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 

"I congratulate newly appointed European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton.

"I am confident that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009 and their official role after that date will have a positive impact on the relations between the OSCE and the European Union. All 27 EU Member States are at the same time participating States of the OSCE, and the efforts and activities of our organizations in the military and political, economic and environmental, and human rights dimensions are largely interwoven, interdependent and complementary.

"I look forward to the enhanced co-operation with the new leadership of the European Union under the Lisbon Treaty, and believe that together we will make a valuable contribution to ensuring stability and security in the OSCE region as a whole."