Austria assumes the Chairmanship of OSCE 2017

Posted on December 14, 2016 by U.S Europe World Affairs.com

Austria assumed the OSCE Chairmanship of 2017 from Germany at the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Hamburg on December 9th.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office German Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier with Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz of Austria. Hamburg OSCE Ministerial meeting December 9, 2016 © Austrian MFA

“If we want security, we need to contribute by building bridges between East and West. We look forward to the honour of assuming the Chairmanship and to good cooperation” Elaborated Foreign Minister Kurz in his speech.

Minister Kurz also met and had bilateral discussions with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Minister Dr. Steinmeier, with High Representatives from United States, France, Russia and most Foreign Ministers of OSEC members.

Message of U.S Mission to OSCE to Minister Kurz of Austria:

“Minister Kurz, the United States welcomes you to the Permanent Council, and offers its sincere thanks to Austria for taking on the Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2017.” July 2016 © US Mission to OSCE

Reference: The first address to OSCE Permanent Council, incoming Chairperson-in-Office Austria’s Foreign Minister Kurz. Vienna July 2016