OSCE Chairman-in-Office speaks to Helsinki Committee of United States Congress

WASHINGTON, 8 May 2002 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs Martins da Cruz, reiterated during a visit to the United States capital, Washington D.C., the will of the Chairmanship to consolidate the role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in the promotion and consolidation of democratic institutions and democratic values, as well as the need to reinforce the fight against terrorism in the OSCE's area of influence.

Mr. da Cruz's intervention was made to the U.S. Congress during a session of the Helsinki Committee held on 8 May, as part of his first visit to Washington as the new Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities.

He announced that he intended to debate the OSCE's anti-terrorism strategy with the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly at its annual session, which will be held in Berlin in June.

Mr. da Cruz also reaffirmed the political will of the Chairmanship to debate and adopt a charter on Prevention and Combat of Terrorism, highlighting the importance of a meeting between international organizations scheduled to take place on 12 June in Lisbon. The Chairman-in-Office also mentioned the Presidency's interest in the various regional issues, namely in the Balkans, Belarus, Moldova and Central Asia.