Portugal takes over OSCE Chairmanship for 2002

VIENNA, 10 January 2002 - Portugal has taken on its mandate to carry out the roles and responsibilities of the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe during 2002.

Portugal's Foreign Minister Jaime Gama will hold the position of Chairman-in-Office.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office is vested with overall responsibility for executive action and co-ordination of current OSCE activities. This includes co-ordination of the work of OSCE Institutions, representing the Organization, and supervising activities related to early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

The Chairmanship changes annually, and the post of Chairman-in-Office is held by the Foreign Minister of a participating State. For the previous 12 months, the OSCE Chairmanship was held by Romania. In 2003, it will pass to the Netherlands.

The Chairman-in-Office is assisted by the previous and succeeding Chairmanships; the three of them together constitute the Troika. During 2002, the Troika is made up of Romania, Portugal and the Netherlands.