OSCE meeting will review implementation of economic commitments

VIENNA, 17 January 1996 - The OSCE is holding a meeting to review the implementation of OSCE commitments in the areas of economics, environment and science and technology in Geneva on 22-23 January. The meeting will take stock of what has been achieved during the period 1990-1995 in relation to the commitments, most of which are contained in the Document of the 1990 Bonn Conference on Economic Co-operation in Europe.

The Bonn Conference was held during a time of profound change in the economic systems of Central and Eastern European States. The Bonn Document aims to provide impulses for economic relations between OSCE States, in particular by improving business conditions for commercial exchanges and industrial co-operation and by considering possibilities for economic co-operation. The OSCE is now undertaking a comprehensive review of how Europe's economic transformation has been carried out.

The meeting, which will be chaired by Ambassador Rudolf Ramsauer (Switzerland), offers an opportunity for open discussion and exchange of views among representatives of OSCE States on specific issues encountered in the implementation of economic dimension commitments. At the last annual meeting of the Economic Forum in Prague in June 1995, participants agreed that the discussions in the field of economics should be an integral part of the development of a Comprehensive Security Model for the 21st Century.

The Geneva meeting should also help identify key areas of economic co-operation between OSCE States, international economic and financial institutions and the private sector in strengthening their economic relations.

The meeting is being held in close co-operation with other relevant international organizations, in particular the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Participants from all OSCE States, including representatives from the private sector, NGOs and international organizations are expected to take part. Media representatives are also invited to attend.

Press arrangements:

Monday, 22 January 1996, 5 p.m.

Press Briefing: Ambassador Benedict von Tscharner, Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council and Ambassador Rudolf Ramsauer, Delegate of the Swiss Government for Trade Agreements; Centre International de Conférences de Genève, 15, Rùe de Varembé, Level D, Room 18