IRELAND WILL assume the chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2012, it was confirmed at the organisation’s annual ministerial council meeting in Athens yesterday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin welcomed the decision by OSCE-participating states – which include all EU members, the US, Canada and Russia – to appoint Ireland to the position.
The Government had been lobbied by several OSCE member states to take on the role. Albania was expected to chair the organisation in 2012, but bowed out.
“I am delighted that this decision will provide Ireland with an excellent opportunity to once again play a leadership role on the international stage, particularly during these difficult economic times,” Mr Martin said. “As an international organisation, the OSCE is unique in terms of its membership and one of its significant benefits is that it brings countries together from Europe, Central Asia and America.
“It will be an honour for Ireland to be in a position to make a tangible contribution to the promotion of European peace and security, drawing particularly on our experience of conflict resolution in the context of the Northern Ireland peace process,” he added.
“Ireland looks forward to assuming this responsibility and will work hard to build on the impressive achievements of the OSCE.”