OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes adoption of 2005 budget

LJUBLJANA, 13 May 2005 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel on Friday welcomed the belated adoption of the Organization's 2005 budget by the OSCE Permanent Council and called on all participating States to agree new scales of contribution soon.

The Permanent Council in Vienna approved the 168.6-million euro budget on Thursday, on the basis of the existing scales of contribution which are valid for 2005 only.

"The five-month delay in agreeing a budget was clearly not good for the effectiveness and credibility of the OSCE and I hope this will not be repeated," the Chairman-in-Office said. "But I am confident that we have now put this period behind us and that participating States will work constructively together to implement our active programme this year."

Minister Rupel noted that the delay in approving the budget reflected political differences among OSCE countries about the future direction of the Organization. A Panel of Eminent Persons would make recommendations for reform at the end of June and these would be considered by participating States in the autumn.

"We should not forget that our common values are far stronger than the points on which we differ. The OSCE has lost none of its relevance and remains an essential instrument for maintaining security in its region," the Chairman-in-Office said.

OSCE countries aim to agree new scales of contribution for the coming years by 1 December at the latest.