OSCE Secretary General visits OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, stresses importance of parliamentary engagement

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier met the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Spencer Oliver, on 24 January 2012 in Copenhagen. The two discussed prospects for closer co-operation between the Assembly and the OSCE's executive structures, notably in enhancing the OSCE’s efforts to prevent and respond to emerging crisis situations.

“I highly value the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s contribution to the work of the Organization and, as Secretary General, I intend to reinforce our co-operation,” Zannier said. “At the Vilnius Ministerial Council, the 56 participating States invited the entire OSCE family, including the Parliamentary Assembly, to make concrete proposals on developing a more effective response to emerging crisis and conflict situations. I look forward to working together on this important task.”

During his visit to Copenhagen, Zannier is also meeting with the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Mogens Lykketoft, and with Danish parliamentarians, including members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and senior officials of the Danish Foreign Ministry.