OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation outlines priorities for 2007

VIENNA, 17 January 2007 - The Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) has set itself an ambitious agenda for the year in its leading role in the OSCE's work on the politico-military aspects of fostering security and peace in the OSCE region. This was underlined at the first 2007 session of the Forum that took place in Vienna today.

The Forum deals with arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, and contributes to the fight against terrorism and non-proliferation. It also examines changes in military doctrine arising from the new threats to the security environment.

"Our agenda for the year is ambitious in terms of volume and substance, and in order to carry out the task successfully, we will rely on the active involvement and support of all 56 OSCE participating States as well as of the Organization's Conflict Prevention Centre," said Minister Plenipotentiary Spyros Attas, who will Chair the FSC on behalf of Cyprus for four months.

He added that Cyprus will work closely with the Spanish OSCE Chairmanship.

In 2007, the FSC will be chaired by Cyprus, Croatia and Denmark.

The FSC Chair outlined its main priorities and presented a programme for the year. One of the main events will be the 21 March meeting on combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) by air, which will bring together representatives of the air transportation sector as well as other relevant international organizations.

The Forum will contribute to the OSCE's Annual Security Review Conference to be held in Summer, and to the implementation of the Organization's Border Security and Management concept. It will also examine ways of implementing the Code of Conduct on Political-Military Aspects of Security.

The FSC will focus on projects relating to containing and reducing the dangers emanating from surplus stockpiles of SALW, as well as stockpiles of conventional ammunition, explosive material and detonating devices including rocket fuel (melange).

Mandated by the December 2006 Brussels Ministerial Council, the FSC will support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which addresses the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, by sharing experiences and identifying ways to assist participating States in implementing the Resolution nationally.

The Cyprus FSC Chair also proposed ways for a more active involvement in the work of the Forum of the OSCE Partners for Co-operation, that include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea and Thailand.