News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Spain to take over OSCE Chairmanship on 1 January
Publishing date: 29 December 2006
VIENNA, 29 December 2006- Spain will take over the OSCE Chairmanship from Belgium on 1 January, with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Miguel Angel Moratinos, succeeding his Belgian counterpart, Karel De Gucht...
OSCE Chairman expresses condolences to Turkmen people over death of leader, offers Organization's help on democratic reforms
Publishing date: 21 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 21 December 2006- OSCE Chairman Karel De Gucht expressed condolences to the people of Turkmenistan today after the death of their president, and said the OSCE stood ready to help with the ensuing transition and to advance democratic reforms...
OSCE seminar on cross border trade and transport in South-Eastern Europe identifies measures to improve customs and border proceedings
Publishing date: 15 December 2006
BELGRADE, 15 December 2006- Border, customs, trade and transport officials as well as private sector representatives from South-Eastern Europe identified measures that would harmonize customs and border procedures during...
OSCE Chairman concerned over constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh
Publishing date: 11 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 11 December 2006- OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said the OSCE will not recognize the referendum on a draft constitution held on Sunday. "Such a referendum is counter-productive...
OSCE Chairman De Gucht marks Human Rights Day by urging participating States to protect human rights defenders
Publishing date: 8 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 8 December 2006- OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht, has called today for increased awareness of the difficulties many human rights defenders face. He made his remarks before the International Human Rights Day...
OSCE's Belgian Chairmanship says helped start new chapter for Organization
Publishing date: 5 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 5 December 2006- OSCE Chairman Karel De Gucht said today Belgium had helped redress the balance between the three aspects of security and championed reforms that could end an introspective episode and start a new chapter for the Organization...
OSCE Belgian Chairmanship, UNODC launch toolkit to help countries reform criminal justice systems
Publishing date: 4 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 4 December 2006- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the OSCE launched a new toolkit on Monday to help countries make their criminal justice systems more effective. The Criminal Justice Assessment Toolkit is designed...
OSCE Chairman calls for strong move to tackle illicit arms trafficking by air
Publishing date: 4 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 4 December 2006- OSCE Chairman-in-Office Karel De Gucht called for a wide range of organizations and companies to attend a special meeting next year to work on ways to fight the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons by air...
OSCE foreign ministers start meeting with focus on unresolved conflicts and boosting Organization's efficiency
Publishing date: 4 December 2006
BRUSSELS, 4 December 2006- Foreign ministers from the 56 OSCE participating States began their annual Ministerial Council today, and the focus was on tackling protracted "frozen" conflicts and further improving OSCE efficiency...
OSCE Chairman expresses condolences after staff member dies in Kosovo car accident
Publishing date: 30 November 2006
BRUSSELS, 30 November 2006- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, expressed his condolences today to the family of an OSCE Mission in Kosovo staff member who died in a car accident on Wednesday evening...