UN Deputy Secretary General reviews co-operation with OSCE

VIENNA, 7 October 1999 - Reviewing joint efforts and enhancing future co-operation in conflict prevention and resolution was the main theme of discussion held here today by visiting United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette with Kai Eide, Chairman of the Permanent Council of the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and Jan Kubis, OSCE Secretary-General. Ms. Frechette also addressed the OSCE Permanent Council.

The United Nations and the OSCE have a track record of co-operation in joint crisis prevention, peacekeeping and long-term peace building. The two organizations have established field level co-operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Albania and the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Georgia and Tajikistan. The OSCE is the only regional organization with which the United Nations in 1993 concluded a Framework Agreement for Co-operation and Co-ordination.

In their discussions, Ms. Frechette and OSCE officials focused special attention on the tasks ahead in peace-building in Kosovo. One of the four pillars of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the pillar responsible for institution-building is led by the OSCE. This pillar encompasses such areas of activity as the training of judges, police and local administrators; human rights monitoring, and developing institutions to solidify democratization and good governance. It is in this context the two organizations reviewed the current security situation in Kosovo, issues linked to demilitarization, establishment of an independent media and preparations for local elections.

The Deputy Secretary-General was in Vienna to open the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty, taking place 6 to 8 October. On 9 October she will take part in the high-level panel meeting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Vienna International Centre. The meeting, hosted by the United Nations in Vienna will focus on the theme of human security in the 21 century. Following the high-level panel discussion, she will open an exhibition documenting the activities of the United Nations organizations in Vienna over the past two decades.