Washington – The United States Helsinki Commission will hold a hearing on Bulgaria’s leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) featuring the testimony of His Excellency Solomon Passy, Foreign Minister of Bulgaria and Chair-in-Office of the OSCE.
The Bulgarian Leadership of the OSCE
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Thursday, February 26, 2004
334 Cannon House Office Building
Witness:
His Excellency Solomon Passy, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and Chair-in-Office, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Bulgaria assumed its one-year chairmanship of the OSCE in January 2004. This Helsinki Commission hearing will review the OSCE’s program for 2004 under Bulgaria’s leadership. Chair-in-Office Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy has said that implementation of OSCE commitments would top the agenda for Bulgaria’s Chairmanship of the OSCE. Specific issues expected to be discussed are the ongoing conflict in Chechnya, OSCE efforts to resolve the Transdniestrian conflict, work to resolve the “frozen conflicts” in the Caucasus, OSCE efforts to combat anti-Semitism and human trafficking, the situation in Central Asia, as well as promoting respect for human rights and democratic values throughout the OSCE region. The hearing will also highlight Bulgaria’s experience in its own transition to democracy and ongoing human rights efforts.
The OSCE is the largest regional security organization in the world with 55 participating States from Europe, Eurasia and North America. Its approach to security encompasses a wide range of security-related issues including arms control, preventive diplomacy, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, democratization, election monitoring and economic and environmental security. All OSCE participating States have equal status and decisions are based on consensus.
The OSCE has deployed numerous missions and field activities throughout Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It works to facilitate political processes, prevent or settle conflicts, and promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
