The 57 member nations of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on
Thursday elected Italy 2018 president. "This decision fully
represents the recognition of our country's commitment and the
desire to actively contribute to peace and stability in Europe,"
said Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
Beginning on January 1, Italy will be working closely with
Germany which is the 2016 OSCE president, and Austria (2017
president) as part of the so-called OSCE Troika, Gentiloni said.
Italy's agenda will focus on a solution to the Ukraine
crisis, the migrant and refugee crisis, and strengthening the
partnership with countries on the southern shore of the
Mediterranean, the minister said.
The Vienna-based OSCE is the world's largest
security-oriented intergovernmental organization set up during
the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) held
in Helsinki, Finland in 1975. Its mandate includes arms control,
human rights, freedom of the press, fair elections, early
warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, and
post-conflict rehabilitation.
Its 57 member nations are in Europe, northern and central
Asia, and North America.
OSCE stretches "from Vancouver to Vladivostok (and its)
concept of security is now more relevant than ever," said
Gentiloni.
"The method that led to the Helsinki Act is being looked at
with growing interest...to lay the groundwork for a new order in
the Mediterranean".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
