Martin Says Ireland Is Ready To Lead European Security Group

The annual Ministerial meeting of the OSCE takes place this week, when it is likely that there will be clarification on the question of the Chair for 2012.  The Minister for Foreign Affairs will attend that meeting in Athens, under the present OSCE Chair, Greece.

The OSCE, which was formally established in 1994, emerged out of the Cold War changes in Europe to become the primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in Europe, Central Asia and North America.  

Comprising fifty-six participating States (including all the members of the EU, the US, Canada and Russia), the OSCE's approach to security is comprehensive and co-operative. 

It deals with a wide range of security issues, including arms control, preventive diplomacy, confidence and security building measures, human rights, election monitoring and economic and environmental security.

The Chair is held by a member state for one calendar year on the basis of consensus. Ireland has never taken the Chair before in the 25 year history of the Organisations.

The present Chair is Greece. Next year Kazakhstan takes over the position - the first Central Asian state to do so.  Lithuania will have the Chair in 2011.