OSCE Chairman meets Russian Foreign Minister in Moscow

MOSCOW, 17 September 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, discussed current OSCE activities and priorities in consultations with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on Friday.

Both Ministers stressed the important role of the OSCE as a key organization in addressing contemporary security challenges.

The Ministers reviewed issues to be addressed at the December OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Sofia. They also exchanged views on proposals put forward by CIS Member States in September on the future of the Organization as well as the Chairman-in-Office's ideas for the transformation of the OSCE.

"In Sofia we can start the transformation of the Organization to better adapt it to the realities of the modern world. This will imply reforming the management of the OSCE as well," Minister Passy said.

The two sides stressed the importance of raising the profile of the political-military and economic-environmental dimensions and confirmed their wish to achieve a better balance among different OSCE activities.

They agreed that the Organization should expand its activities in combating international terrorism in the OSCE area, especially in light of the recent barbarous attacks on Russian soil.

Other key issues discussed at the meeting were conflicts in the OSCE area, including South Ossetia, Transdniestria and Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We need to redouble peaceful efforts to resolve remaining conflicts," the Chairman-in-Office said. "Our Chairmanship will spare no efforts in this respect. We look at Russia as an important partner which has played, and will continue to play, an important role in seeking a solution to these conflicts."

The Chairman-in-Office also handed over to the Russian Foreign Minister a number of proposals for possible OSCE activities in Chechnya.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, expressed his appreciation for the way Bulgaria conducted its Chairmanship.