25 Oct. 2006

OSCE Chairman briefs NATO Council Background NATO-OSCE relations Multimedia High resolution photos from the meeting Key links OSCE Chairmanship The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, addressed the North Atlantic Council on 25 October. Mr. De Gucht described the current activities and priorities of the OSCE.  He stressed in particular the importance of tackling Europe’s ‘frozen’ and unresolved conflicts. Welcoming Mr. De Gucht, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that no organisation can achieve its aim in isolation, and that coordination of efforts is a priority. Continuing cooperation The visit was part of the regular, high-level political dialogue between the two organizations. Last year, the NATO Secretary General addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. NATO and OSCE have cooperated and continue to cooperate closely together on the ground in a number of regions, including the Balkans.