15th Conference of the OSCE Council of Ministers in Madrid, 29 und 30 November 2007
Berne, 29.11.2007 - President of the Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey and State Secretary Michael Ambühl will take part in the 15th conference of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Council of Ministers will be attended by foreign ministers and high-ranking officials from the 56 participating states and the 11 partner states from the Mediterranean area and Asia.
The OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid will discuss the question of how the OSCE can continue to maintain its profile in the European security architecture and successfully face today's security challenges. The questions on the agenda will include for example the issue of increased cooperation with Afghanistan and the future presence of the OSCE in Kosovo. The OSCE practice of election observation missions is also likely to be a talking point. A decision will also have to be taken on Kazakhstan's candidacy for the chairmanship-in-office of the OSCE. At the institutional level, the legal personality of the OSCE and the approval of a convention that would give the OSCE a legal status and diplomatic immunity for its staff is also on the programme. Moreover specific decisions will be taken about the fight against terrorism, the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination and the fight against human trafficking.
Switzerland will advocate in particular the approval of the convention on the legal personality of the OSCE, the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK) and the election of Kazakhstan to the OSCE chairmanship-in-office.
It is a central concern of Switzerland that the OSCE as an open forum for dialogue should be strengthened. Since its foundation the OSCE has been a valuable instrument of Swiss foreign policy, as it is notable in particular for its comprehensive security approach, which covers the politico-military, economico-environmental and human dimensions).
For questions please contact: Raphaël Saborit, Spokesman, +41 79 335 76 14
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