‘OSCE CO-CHAIRS WORK TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN,’ SAYS OSCE CHAIR-IN-OFFICE

Tert.am
16:08 ~U 01.12.09

The dialogue on European security can be meaningful only if it is
tied to concrete progress, the foreign ministers of the 56 OSCE
participating States heard at the start of the 17th OSCE Ministerial
Council in Athens today, reads the OSCE official website.

Greek President Karolos Papoulias, welcoming the ministers and
high-level representatives at the opening session, said, "The Athens
Ministerial provides us all with an important opportunity to send out
a clear message of unity on the need for enhanced dialogue complemented
by joint action."

During his speech, OSCE Chair-in-Office, Greek Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister George Papandreou underscored the importance of talks
on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk
Group, which is co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States.

"The co-chairs of the Minsk Group have worked tirelessly to support
the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as they approach the time to
take difficult decisions aimed at resolving their differences. Here
in Athens, we must leave no doubt that this process enjoys the solid
support of the entire OSCE community," said Papandreou.

More than 45 ministers are attending the two-day Ministerial Council.

The OSCE Foreign Ministers will adopt decisions and give political
guidelines on a wide range of topics in the politico-military,
economic and environmental and human dimensions of security.