News from Copenhagen

Number 88 Current Information from the OSCE PA International Secretariat 3 October 2003 Bruce George Calls for Closer Ties with OSCE Mediterranean Partners Upon the invitation of the Algerian Parliament, OSCE PA Presi- dent Bruce George paid an offi cial visit to from 26 to 30 September 2003. The purpose of the visit was to enhance the dia- logue and co-operation between Algerian offi cials and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The visit also served as preparation for the Parliamentary Forum on the Mediterranean to be held in Rome from 9-10 October. OSCE President Bruce George meets with Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutefl ika During his stay, the President held meetings with Algerian Pres- in the Mediterranean. ident Abdelaziz Boutefl ika, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, For- President George discussed a variety of issues with the Alge- eign Minister , and Minister of the Interior rian authorities, including the prospects of further involving the Yazid Zerhouni. The President also held talks with the Speaker Delegations for the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation in the of the Algerian National Council, , and the activities of the Assembly. He emphasized that further develop- Speaker of the Algerian National Assembly, Karim Younes. In ment of the dialogue with the Mediterranean Partners is essential addition, meetings took place with representatives of political for the OSCE and that European security cannot be achieved with- groups, civil society and regional government, including a meeting out the co-operation with the countries from the southern shore of with the Algerian Commission for Human Rights. During his stay the Mediterranean in , President George also delivered a speech to the Alge- During his visit, President Bruce George was accompanied by rian National Council on perspectives of security and co-operation Presidential Adviser Gustavo Pallarés. OSCE PA holds talks in Moldova Parliamentary Troika “The Second Parliamentary Seminar on Fed- compromises could look like.” on Belarus meets eralism” took place in Moldova on 29-30 Sep- During the fi rst day, the participants discussed On 25 September 2003, Urban tember 2003. The Seminar was organized by the European experiences with federalism. In par- Ahlin (MP, Sweden), Member OSCE Parliamentary Team on Moldova in close ticular, they considered the division of budget- of the Working Group on Bela- co-operation with the OSCE ary powers between the rus, travelled to Strasbourg for Mission. centre and federal enti- a meeting of the Parliamentary The two-day event, which ties. Troika on Belarus, composed of was opened by Kimmo During the second the parliamentary assemblies of Kiljunen (Finland), Vice- day, the work of the JCC the OSCE and the Council of President of the OSCE PA, was assessed. The speak- Europe (CoE) and the European brought together more than ers included represent- Parliament. 60 participants, including atives of the German The participants in the meeting Members of the Moldavian Bundestag, Russian discussed the political situation Parliament, Transdniestrian Duma, Venice Commis- in the country and recognised the Supreme Soviet and the Joint sion and the European importance of the parliamentary Constitutional Commission Union. Ambassador Wil- elections in the autumn of 2004. (JCC). Roberto Battelli (MP, liam Hill, Head of the The Troika plans to visit Belarus Slovenia), Claudia Nolte OSCE Mission to in the coming months. (MP, Germany) and Leonid Roberto Battelli, Kimmo Kiljunen, and Claudia Nolte at Moldova, and Ambassa- Mr. Ahlin was accompanied by Ivanchenko (MP, Russia) also the Parliamentary Seminar in Moldova. dor Adriaan Jacobovits, Spencer Oliver, Secretary-Gen- attended. Personal Representative eral, and Paul LeGendre, Pro- The purpose of the Seminar was to further pro- of the C-i-O, also addressed the Seminar. gramme Offi cer, who also met mote the ongoing negotiations between Moldova The OSCE Parliamentary Team concluded with the President of the CoE and the Transdniestrian region on a new consti- that a dialogue between parliamentarians and Parliamentary Assembly, Peter tution for Moldova. In his opening remarks, Mr. politicians from both banks of the Nistru River Schieder and Secretary-General Kiljunen stressed the need for compromise, stat- is necessary for a lasting political solution. The Bruno Haller, to discuss co-oper- ing that “the OSCE stands ready as an honest Team therefore intends to continue to facilitate ation between the two parliamen- broker to give advice to both sides on what such such dialogue. tary assemblies. For further information please contact: Secretary General R. Spencer Oliver, and Mr. Jan Jooren, Counsellor, Public Affairs, E-mail [email protected], Tel: +45 33 37 80 40, Fax: +45 33 37 80 30.