ACCORDING TO ALEXANDER STUBB, FINNISH OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP TO PUSH AHEAD WITH FINLAND’S CHAIRMANSHIP PRIORITIES

Noyan Tapan
April 7, 2008

HELSINKI, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Alexander Stubb was appointed as
Foreign Minister of Finland on April 4. The new Minister, serving also
as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, pledged to push ahead with Finland’s
Chairmanship priorities, NT was informed by the OSCE Yerevan Office.

"My team will continue the work started by my predecessor Ilkka
Kanerva," A. Stubb stated, adding: "The Finnish Chairmanship will
pursue the detailed schedule of work that builds on the OSCE’s
strengths as a forum for dialogue and a platform for action across
Europe."

Priorities of the 2008 Finnish OSCE Chairmanship include progress
towards resolving the region’s protracted conflicts, enhancing
engagement with Afghanistan as well as co-operation on maritime and
inland waterways, combating trafficking in human beings, promoting
tolerance and non-discrimination and gender equality.