OSCE Office in Yerevan presents textbook on OSCE to mark Office's 5th Anniversary

YEREVAN, 9 February 2005 - A textbook entitled "OSCE history, principles and perspectives" was presented today on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"We hope that the book will contribute to promoting the principles and ideas of the OSCE in Armenia," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, during the presentation ceremony. He noted that the Organization will also celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act this year.

The Armenian Minister of Science and Education Sergo Yeritsyan welcomed the initiative of the OSCE Office and expressed the hope that the textbook would be used extensively in universities, helping to raise awareness about the OSCE in general.

Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian said he highly appreciated the work of the OSCE Office during its five years in Armenia and emphasized the good working relations and co-operation with the government of Armenia.

The textbook contains comprehensive information on the OSCE, including its formation, development and structures. The first major work on the OSCE in the Armenian language, the book will also be a valuable reference tool for politicians, human rights defenders, scholars, researchers, journalists and the general public.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and environmental aspects of security and stability.

At present the Office has seven international and 15 local staff members.