Tánaiste's meeting with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon gets stamp of approval

10 February 2012

The OSCE comprises 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, including all members of the EU, the US, Canada and Russia.  Its remit encompasses a range of critical global issues in areas such as conflict prevention and resolution, arms control, election monitoring, human rights as well as economic and environmental security.

Ireland will Chair the OSCE for the duration of 2012.  The Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, performs the function of the OSCE’s Chairperson-in-Office and bears overall responsibility for the executive action of the organisation.

An area of particular focus during Ireland’s OSCE chairmanship this year will be internet freedom.  Ireland will also seek to achieve progress on protracted conflicts in the OSCE region, building on its experience in Northern Ireland.  A further priority will be the promotion of security and stability through good governance. 

Ireland has been a member of the OSCE since 1973 and is among the original signatories of both the Helsinki Final Act (1975) and the Charter of Paris (1990).  Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the OSCE – the world’s largest regional security organisation – has made a massive contribution to both stability and democratic development in Europe.

The new 55c stamp designed by Red Dog Design may be viewed or purchased at www.irishstamps.ie  and main post offices and the GPO, Dublin.