Cyprus to become part of OSCE presidency in September

Cyprus is preparing to become part of the presidency of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from September. Cyprus’ Foreign Minister George Iacovou met the Secretary-General of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Marc Perrin de Brichambaut at the organisation’s headquarters on Monday, during a trip that will encompass Austria and Germany.

“Today we are called to assume once again an important role in the organisation’s work. Cyprus will become part of the OSCE presidency from September 2006 and will undertake the presidency for the first trimester of 2007. During my meeting with Mr. de Brichambaut I had the opportunity to put forward the general pursuits of the Cypriot presidency,” said Iacovou.

Iacovou added that Cyprus’ activities in the past were part of the framework of non-aligned and neutral European countries which are now mostly members of the EU.

Iacovou said the two men discussed the OSCE’s activities and the work that the organization carries out in the field of tolerance and discrimination and in consolidating human rights and the rule of law in the areas it covers.

Iacovou also invited de Brichambaut to represent the OSCE at the international Inter-Religious Dialogue meeting that will be held in Larnaca, Cyprus on June 3-5.