OSCE Chairman discusses Kosovo with UN Secretary-General Annan

NEW YORK, 5 March 2005 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, discussed the situation in Kosovo and the future of the OSCE with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday.

At the meeting, which followed an address by the OSCE Chairman to the UN Security Council, both men stressed the importance of strengthening the effectiveness of the two organizations. They also compared notes on the processes of reform which both organizations are undergoing.

They discussed the way ahead for Kosovo after the review of standards implementation scheduled for the middle of this year.

Minister Rupel briefed the Secretary-General on his recent visits to Belgrade and Pristina.

"I believe the OSCE, as an integral part of the UNMIK [United Nations Mission in Kosovo] pillar structure, can play a key role in the standards review process and should remain an important part of the international presence in Kosovo," he said.

Secretary-General Annan welcomed the high priority which the Slovenian Chairmanship has given to Kosovo and said the OSCE's support for UN activities in the region was greatly appreciated.

The two men agreed that there was an important link between security and economic development.

The Chairman-in-Office said strengthening the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE's work was another important focus for the Slovenian Chairmanship in 2005.