OSCE and EU to enhance mutual co-operation

STOCKHOLM, 19 January 2001 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Romania Mircea Dan Geoana, met today in Stockholm with Anna Lindh, the Foreign Minister of Sweden, the country currently holding the Presidency of the European Union.

The discussions between the Swedish EU Presidency and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office were aiming at enhancing the mechanisms of information exchange in order to build up close co-operation guided by complementarity, compatibility and synergy between the two Organizations, in line with the principles enshrined in the Platform for Co-operative Security. Some concrete areas of common action and co-operation were identified which will be further considered by the OSCE Chairmanship and the EU Presidency.

The meeting was also devoted to an exchange of views on current OSCE issues. The main objectives and priorities of the Romanian OSCE Chairmanship were detailed, as well as the schedule of activities and events over the coming period.

The EU Presidency reaffirmed its support for the Romanian Chairmanship in fulfilling its mandate.

"There are many areas of common interest between the OSCE and the EU and we are trying to find the best ways to enhance their complementarity and our mutual co-operation", Mr. Geoana said.