Annual OSCE Economic Forum convenes in Prague

VIENNA, 9 June 1997 - The Fifth Meeting of the OSCE Economic Forum will convene on 11-13 June at the Czernin Palace in Prague. The overall theme this year is "Market Economy and the Rule of Law." The delegations will discuss a number of topics under this heading. Of particular interest are areas where the Forum may contribute to the ongoing work in the OSCE on "A Common and Comprehensive Security Model for the 21st Century" with special emphasis on economic aspects of security.

Representatives from United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Trade Organization, International Labour Organization, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, and Council of Europe have been invited to attend and make contributions to the Economic Forum. Invitations have been extended to Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia as OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation. A number of regional groupings have been invited, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Black Sea Economic Co-operation and the Council of Baltic Sea States.

The Economic Forum was established in 1992 as part of the efforts to strengthen the focus of OSCE in the transition to, and development of, free-market economies as an essential contribution to the building of democracy. As directed by the 1994 OSCE Budapest Summit Meeting, the Economic Forum is the main venue for discussion on economic dimension issues. The Forum meets annually in Prague.

Press Arrangements:

A press briefing is scheduled on Friday 13 June at 1:15 p.m. with the Chairman of the Economic Forum, Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Henrik Wøhlk, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Press representatives will be also permitted to attend the opening and closing meetings of the Economic Forum, at which time there will also be a short photo opportunity. The first plenary session is scheduled to begin on 11 June at 10:00 a.m.

For accreditation, please present your press credentials or NGO identification at the press/NGO liaison desk at the entrance.

Address: Palace Czernin, Loretanske namesti 5, Prague 1

Tel. (+420 - 2) 2431 0971 or 2431 0969, Fax:(+420 - 2) 2431 0970