News from Copenhagen

Number 44 Current Information from the OSCE PA International Secretariat 4 February 2002 Bill Graham appointed Foreign Minister of Canada President Severin visits On January 15, former OSCE Parliamentary On 28-29 January, President Severin paid an offi cial visit to Assembly Treasurer Bill Graham was appointed Norway where he had an audience with His Majesty the King Foreign Minister of Canada, following a reshuffl e of of Norway and meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. the Government. President Severin sent a letter of Jørgen Kosmo, the Prime Minister, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, the congratulations to Mr. Graham thanking him for his Foreign Minister, Mr. Jan Petersen, the OSCE PA Delegation and dedicated work for the Assembly. Mr. Graham was a the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. The programme also very active member of the OSCE PA serving as a Vice- included a discussion with the President and Members of the Nordic President from 1997-1999 and as Treasurer from 1999 Council as well as a meeting with a group of non-governmental until the Annual Session in Paris. A Professor of Law, organizations. Throughout the visit, President Severin stressed the Mr Graham was elected to the Canadian Parliament in role of the OSCE Parliamentarians in the work of the OSCE 1993 and served as Chair of the House of Commons and the need for more openness in the Organization. He also Foreign Affairs Committee for seven years. discussed the priorities and projects of the Organization in particular When commenting on the appointment of Mr. regarding the Balkans and Central Asia. In addition, on the issue Graham The Economist stated: “Not since 1948 has of terrorism, President Severin stressed that even during the war Canada tapped such a well prepared foreign minister.” against terrorism, human rights and democracy should be on the top of the international political agenda. Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency and Accountability meets in Washington On 21 January, the Ad Hoc Committee the Organization and that more regular OSCE. The Committee agreed that one of on Transparency and Accountability met consultations should take place at both its priorities will be to actively seek the in Washington under the chairmanship the political and executive levels. The Ad support of the participating Governments of Congressman Steny Hoyer, in order Hoc Committee also noted the importance for the policies and recommendations to discuss ways in which co-operation of opening a small OSCE PA liaison offi ce made by the OSCE Parliamentary and co-ordination with the governmental in Vienna in order to ensure better contacts Assembly through engagement of all side of the OSCE can be strengthened. and fl ow of information between the national OSCE PA Delegations. The Committee stressed that increased parliamentary and governmental branches The Ad Hoc Committee is currently interaction between the two branches of of the Organization. preparing for direct discussions with the OSCE would reinforce the work of In addition, Members of the Members of the Permanent Council at a the Organization and allow the two sides Committee highlighted the need for the retreat, which will take place in Salzburg to reach their common goals. governmental side of the Organization on 23-24 February. The Committee sees Members of the Committee also to further implement the values and this retreat as a unique opportunity to emphasized that the OSCE Parliamentary principles it preaches and at least provide exchange views on the future development Assembly, as one of the OSCE Institutions, directly elected parliamentarians with of the OSCE. needs to be further incorporated into information on the decision making in the President Severin attends the OSCE Troika President Severin addresses the and addresses the Heads of Missions PA President Severin attended the The Troika also discussed the President Severin visited the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg on 22-23 January 2002 at the invitation meeting of the OSCE Troika, OSCE’s budgetary diffi culties. of Mr. Peter Schieder, President of the Council of Europe composed of the Foreign Ministers of After the Troika meeting Parliamentary Assembly. In his speech to the Assembly on 23 , Romania and Netherlands, President Severin attended the January, Mr. Severin addressed a number of areas where the in on 21 January 2002. The meeting of Heads of the OSCE Field two Assemblies co-operate, such as combating terrorism and meeting, which was chaired by Mr. Missions on 21-22 January. In his promoting democracy and stability in Belarus. Jaime Gama, Foreign Minister of address the President informed the During his visit Mr. Severin met with a number of high-level Portugal and the OSCE Chairman-in- Heads of Missions about the activities representatives of the Council of Europe, including the President Offi ce, concentrated on the present of the Parliamentary Assembly and of the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Peter Schieder and Secretary- challenges to the OSCE, such as offered concrete support to the General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Walter Schwimmer. OSCE policies towards Central Asia, Missions in their work, pointing out He also met with the Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Belarus and the former Yugoslav that there are already several projects Assembly, Mr. Bruno Haller and Secretary-General of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Michail Krotov to discuss the Republic of Macedonia as well as where the Assembly co-operates forthcoming parliamentary conference on combating terrorism, OSCE’s role in combating terrorism. closely with the Missions. to be held in St. Petersburg in March 2002.

For further information please contact: Mr. Jan Jooren, Counsellor, Public Affairs E-mail [email protected], Tel: +45 33 37 80 36, Fax: +45 33 37 80 30.