OSCE Chairman-in-Office outlines 1998 priorities

VIENNA, 15 January 1998 - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek, outlined the priorities of the 1998 Polish Chairmanship at today's meeting of the Permanent Council.

In his address, Mr. Geremek stressed the continuing need for Europe's international organizations to "ensure peaceful management of change" and for the development of comprehensive security "based on mutual reassurance rather that on mutual deterrence."

He emphasized that the OSCE is only as strong as its participating States make it. In ensuring its strength, States must "adhere to common values and associate their vital interests with the Organization." Furthermore, the OSCE can only be successful if States "invest both political will and material resources in its activities."

Reflecting on his expectations for the biggest challenges for the Polish Chairmanship, Mr. Geremek said that being ready to face unexpected crisis situations would be a priority. "Early warning and preventative mechanisms should be at the heart of our endeavours." In its work, he added, "we will always ask ourselves whether human beings may benefit from our activities." According to Mr. Geremek, the Polish Chairmanship would be pragmatic when dealing with conflicts in the OSCE area, democratic while organizing consensus for decision-taking and realistic in its approach to the Organization's role in European security.

Mr. Geremek outlined a number of measures for strengthening co-operation with other international organizations; making more effective the "early warning system;" encouraging more active participation from all participating States; and continuing the practice of appointing high-ranking European personalities as representative of the Chairman-in-Office in times of crisis.

The overall goal of the OSCE should be to "contribute to the creation of a free Europe, where the balance of power is no longer a governing factor and where relations among States are no longer a zero-sum game," Mr. Geremek said. "Solidarity and where possible integration should be hallmarks of the new order to be established in Europe."

Copies of Mr. Geremek's speech are available at the Secretariat by request. Please contact Ms. Florence Le Clezio, Press Office, (+43-1) 514 36-180.