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Selection for OSCE secretary general deadlocked, as member states
oppose candidacies
14:24 - 05.06.11
The member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) prove unable to reach a common agreement over the
candidates nominated to run for the organization's secretary general.
Armenia and Cyprus were earlier reported to have set up an alliance to
veto Turkish diplomat Ersin Ercin's candidacy.
Turkey in turn has said it opposes Austrian former foreign minister
Ursula Plassnik to become the next OSCE secretary general.
The Turkish newspaper Sunday's Zaman has cited a statement by the
country's Foreign Ministry which expressed unwillingness to support
Plassnik because she opposes Turkey's bid to become a full member of
the European Union.
Plassnik said back in 2008 that Turkey, a predominantly Muslim
country, should consider a tie-up with the EU short of full
membership.
"We have notified to not only Austria but also Lithuania that it is
impossible for us to accept a person who discusses our European
identity as the secretary general of such an important international
organization," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said,
according to the World Bulletin.
He reportedly added that Turkey's candidate received a significant
support at first, however they were told that the Greek Cypriot
administration and Armenia would veto his candidacy,
"Then, Ercin was ranked the second in the voting," Davutoglu was
quoted as saying.
The Turkish top diplomat's stance spurred dissatisfaction in Austria.
In a subsequent phone conversations with Davutoglu, the incumbent
Austrian foreign minister, Michael Spindelegger, warned him that such
position was seen as a measure directed against his country.
He characterized that Turkish official's statement as biased and unjust.
`By taking such step, Turkey will cast a shadow on [our] bilateral
relations,' said the Austrian foreign minister.
Despite Austria's efforts, however, Ankara stands firmly on its
decision not to back the country's former foreign minister.
It claims its veto is against Plassnik, not Austria and says it might
support the country provided it proposes a new candidate.
The incumbent OSCE Secretary General is Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.
Tert.am
oppose candidacies
14:24 - 05.06.11
The member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) prove unable to reach a common agreement over the
candidates nominated to run for the organization's secretary general.
Armenia and Cyprus were earlier reported to have set up an alliance to
veto Turkish diplomat Ersin Ercin's candidacy.
Turkey in turn has said it opposes Austrian former foreign minister
Ursula Plassnik to become the next OSCE secretary general.
The Turkish newspaper Sunday's Zaman has cited a statement by the
country's Foreign Ministry which expressed unwillingness to support
Plassnik because she opposes Turkey's bid to become a full member of
the European Union.
Plassnik said back in 2008 that Turkey, a predominantly Muslim
country, should consider a tie-up with the EU short of full
membership.
"We have notified to not only Austria but also Lithuania that it is
impossible for us to accept a person who discusses our European
identity as the secretary general of such an important international
organization," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said,
according to the World Bulletin.
He reportedly added that Turkey's candidate received a significant
support at first, however they were told that the Greek Cypriot
administration and Armenia would veto his candidacy,
"Then, Ercin was ranked the second in the voting," Davutoglu was
quoted as saying.
The Turkish top diplomat's stance spurred dissatisfaction in Austria.
In a subsequent phone conversations with Davutoglu, the incumbent
Austrian foreign minister, Michael Spindelegger, warned him that such
position was seen as a measure directed against his country.
He characterized that Turkish official's statement as biased and unjust.
`By taking such step, Turkey will cast a shadow on [our] bilateral
relations,' said the Austrian foreign minister.
Despite Austria's efforts, however, Ankara stands firmly on its
decision not to back the country's former foreign minister.
It claims its veto is against Plassnik, not Austria and says it might
support the country provided it proposes a new candidate.
The incumbent OSCE Secretary General is Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.
Tert.am