Foreign Minister to attend OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 30/11/2015 | Last updated: 01/12/2015
Foreign Minister Børge Brende will visit Belgrade from 2 December to 4 December to take part in the annual Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
With its 57 participating states from Europe and Eurasia, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organisation. It is a vital platform for dialogue and the promotion of Norwegian values and interests.
'The OSCE plays a key role in preventing and resolving conflicts in Europe. The organisation is currently particularly visible in Ukraine, where a special mission is monitoring the situation in the conflict area. The participating states are placing increasing emphasis on what have traditionally been the main tasks of the OSCE, such as arms control and confidence-building measures. This is important to Norway,' said Foreign Minister Brende.
Mr Brende will engage in a number of bilateral talks in connection with the OSCE meeting.
This year's Ministerial Council marks the end of Serbia's chairmanship. Germany will assume this role in 2016. Norway last held the chairmanship of the OSCE in 1999.