SARAJEVO/BERNE
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will prioritize the western Balkans and South Caucasus regions, the OSCE's new head Swiss President Didier Burkhalter said after Switzerland took over the OSCE chair on January 1.
He named special representatives for each region, assigning ambassador Gerhard Stoudmann to the western Balkans and ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger to the South Caucasus.
Noting that Switzerland aims to strengthen the OSCE's potential in the fields of preventing conflicts and mediating in negotiations, Burkhalter said in a press release that the organization "is in a unique position to link the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area."
"In the western Balkans, we want to achieve conciliation and to discuss regional cooperation. Besides that, the OSCE will have a role in conducting the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. Talking about South Caucasus, we will work on solving long-standing conflicts," said the chairman.
Switzerland will focus on the fight against torture, respecting human rights, including those of minorities, and strengthening the rule of law in the fight against terrorism, said the statement.
