OSCE Chairman discusses regional issues, Chechnya with Russian Federation

MOSCOW, 17 February 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, discussed the future of the OSCE and regional issues including Georgia and Moldova at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Moscow on Tuesday.

The Chairman-in-Office said the main focus of the Bulgarian Chairmanship would be implementation of existing OSCE commitments, especially in meeting new threats to security.

"The great strength of the OSCE is its unique pan-European membership and its comprehensive approach to security," he said. "I am confident that, with Russia's continued support and active participation, the OSCE will continue to demonstrate its ability to meet changing security challenges."

He said the 55-nation security organization was ready to co-operate with the Russian Federation in concrete projects to help improve the situation in Chechnya.

"We cannot do miracles but we have to start somewhere," Minister Passy said. "I welcome the readiness of the Russian government to co-operate with the OSCE on this question."

The Chairman-in-Office said the Bulgarian Chairmanship wanted to press ahead with efforts to end the conflict in Moldova and to resume negotiations in the so-called five-sided format.

"The Bulgarian Chairmanship stands ready to fully support the political process and to help achieve a lasting solution," he added.

On Georgia, Minister Passy said the Chairmanship would do its utmost to help the new government implement political, legislative and economic reforms. It also supported dialogue on resolving the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts. After being briefed on recent discussions between the Russian authorities and new Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on the future of Russian military bases in Georgia , the Chairman-in-Office said he would be happy to offer the assistance of the OSCE, if necessary.

The two ministers also discussed reform of the OSCE and the need to adapt the Organization's structures and procedures to the changing international environment.