OSCE Secretary General discussed 2013 Ukrainian Chairmanship

During his visit to Ukraine on Thursday 15 September 2011, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier stressed that there are concerns within the OSCE community about the situation in Ukraine as the country begins its preparations for the 2013 OSCE Chairmanship.

Meeting with President Viktor Yanukovych, Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn and Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Zannier pointed out that the OSCE Chairmanship will give Ukraine significant international visibility. At the same time, Ukraine will be expected to set an example in terms of respect for the Organization's values and principles, and implementation of OSCE commitments.

Zannier recalled that in August the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has urged the Ukrainian authorities to respect standards of fairness and transparency in the case against former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko.

Zannier offered the full support of the OSCE executive structures, including the OSCE Project Coordinator in Kyiv, to the country in preparation for and during the 2013 Chairmanship. All his interlocutors confirmed that they see Ukraine's Chairmanship as a serious responsibility.