Russian Foreign Minister says OSCE has topical role in Euro-Atlantic security

VIENNA, 23 May 2007 - The OSCE's role in tackling military aspects of security is very topical and directly relevant to security in the Euro-Atlantic region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the OSCE today.

"I am glad I had this opportunity to meet with members of the OSCE Permanent Council and with the members of the Forum for Security Co-operation," Minister Lavrov told journalists after addressing a special joint session of the two bodies.

'Those formats are the ones which were created to discuss the problems of security, arms control and confidence building in the Euro-Atlantic region. It is obvious that the issues that are very topical these days - the future of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty and the future of missile defence - have direct relevance to European security and to the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region," he said.

The Permanent Council is the 56-country Organization's main decision-making body while the Forum focuses on military aspects of security.

The Minister said OSCE diplomats present had shown interest in further discussions in the near future, including on reforming the OSCE as well as arms control.

For more information on Minister Lavrov's remarks, please visit the Russian Foreign Ministry website at www.mid.ru