ALEXANDER STUBB: "WORK OF THE FINNISH OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP TO CONTINUE"

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07 April, 2008

HELSINKI, 4 April 2008 – Alexander Stubb was appointed as Foreign
Minister of Finland today. The new Minister, serving also as the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, pledged to push ahead with Finland’s Chairmanship
priorities.

"The work of any Chairmanship is the product of a large team
effort involving the OSCE Task Force and Vienna delegation, Special
Representatives and the OSCE’s Vienna Secretariat as well as OSCE
field operations and Institutions," said Stubb.

"My team will continue the work started by my predecessor Ilkka
Kanerva. I warmly thank Mr. Kanerva for a strong and active
contribution."

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," the new Chairman-in-Office said.

Minister Stubb, 40, is scheduled to visit Vienna on 10 April to brief
the OSCE’s Permanent Council, a decision-making body chaired this
year by Finland.

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.