OSCE - Security issues dominate meeting between Mr. Ivanov and Mr. Geoana in Moscow

MOSCOW, 23 October 2001 (OSCE) - Security issues dominated the meeting today between the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana and the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. Igor Ivanov. "The OSCE is entering a new phase of its existence after 11 September. The OSCE should play a far more prominent role in the security architecture of Europe and find adequate answers to the current security threats, mainly terrorism and organized crime", said Mr. Ivanov. The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that the OSCE is well-placed to deal with these issues which should be discussed at the OSCE Ministerial Council due to be held on 3 and 4 December in Bucharest.

Mr. Geoana expressed his belief that terrorism is one critical aspect. "But, he said, we should strengthen our effort against drug trafficking which is directly connected to terrorism and we are also looking to our common fight against organized crime which is the third layer of our fight against the foundation of global terrorism. The OSCE can really play an important role in the years ahead in bringing policies, actions and political synergy to form a comprehensive united front against terrorism, and all types of organized crime".

 Mr. Ivanov expressed Russian willingness to contribute to constructive discussions at the Ministerial Council which will also address the reform of the Organization. "We have passed the stage in which the OSCE was considered to be in a critical phase of development, and we are prepared to formulate guidelines for the reform of this pan-European organization", said Mr. Ivanov

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office expressed his conviction that the Organization should build on the current international collective momentum in order to make the OSCE a more efficient instrument to deal with the new security challenges.

Both Ministers expressed concerns about the current situation in Abkhazia and the stalemate in the peace process in Nagorno Karabakh. They also reviewed the situation in Chechnya in accordance with the mandate of the OSCE Assistance Group. The Russian Federation reaffirmed its commitment to abide by the Istanbul Summit documents with regards to Transnistria and shared Mr. Geoana's concerns on the recent developments in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia where the constructive co-operation in the field between the OSCE, EU and NATO was welcomed.

This meeting took place during a one-day visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to Moscow where he also met with the Russian Prime Minister Mihail Kasianov and the Deputy Minister Evgheni P. Gusarov. Mr. Geoana also met with the French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, accompanying the French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin on a official visit to the Russian Federation.