OSCE Ministerial Council meets in Vienna, 27-28 November

VIENNA, 24 November 2000 - Children in armed conflict areas, trafficking in human beings, an agreement on small arms, and efforts to promote media freedom will be among the topics discussed at the Eighth Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, being held in Vienna, 27-28 November.

On Monday, 27 November, Foreign Ministers of OSCE participating states will be welcomed by the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Mr. Wolfgang Schüssel, and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

An official signing ceremony will follow, where the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Vojislav Kostunica, will add his signature to the landmark OSCE documents: the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, and the Charter for European Security adopted in 1999 in Istanbul.

The first day continues with two plenary sessions. The US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, will lead off the official statements to be delivered by OSCE Delegations. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Adrian Severin will focus on the indispensable role of parliamentarians in increasing the legitimacy and efficiency of OSCE actions.

UN Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Louise Frechette, a representative of the European Union and OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, will discuss co-operation between international organizations and the rapid response mechanisms being put in place by the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE. Foreign Ministers will continue with statements reflecting their views of the role of the OSCE and how it should be utilized in tackling European security problems.

In a parallel meeting at 3 p.m. Monday, a panel discussion will focus on the OSCE initiative and the United Nations 2001 conference on tackling small arms. Participants will address the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons, expected to be endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Tuesday. The event is hosted by the NGOs International Alert and Saferworld, in co-operation with the OSCE Austrian Chairmanship.

On Tuesday, the plenary session will conclude with official statements. Delegations will endorse Ministerial Council documents, including a declaration, a document on enhancing OSCE efforts to combat trafficking of human beings, and possible decisions relating to freedom of the media and national minorities.

At 11 a.m., Ms. Ferrero-Waldner and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, will officially release the publication "The Caucasus - In Defence of the Future." This collection of literary essays by intellectuals focussing on the Caucasus region is the second in a series. The first volume, "In Defence of the Future - Searching the Minefield", focussed on areas devastated by war and violence in the former Yugoslavia.

The OSCE Troika, which comprises the Foreign Ministers of Norway, Austria and Romania, will conclude the Eighth Ministerial Council with a press conference at 12:30 p.m.

Visitors may follow the activities of the OSCE Minister Council by visiting the official website at //www.osce.org/events/mc/austria2000

The website includes news, documents and photographs relating to the event, as well as live streaming video of the plenary sessions.

The OSCE Ministerial Council, which is convened on years when there is no OSCE Summit, is the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE.

At the Ministerial Council, Foreign Ministers review and assess the activities of the Organization and set new political goals for the future. The Ministers also take decisions on concrete measures to increase the operational capacities of the OSCE.

NOTE TO MEDIA - Media representatives are advised that accreditation information, a media schedule and pool application forms are available on the Ministerial Council Website or at the OSCE Ministerial Council Media Centre, Josephsplatz, Vienna. For further information, contact the Press and Public Information Section, OSCE Secretariat, Vienna, Austria, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org