Norway firmly believes that the OSCE is capable of rising to new challenges. In order to ensure a successful adaptation of the OSCE, we must also discuss how the organisation functions and where internal improvements are needed.
In our view, the need for important changes in the leadership structure of the OSCE is becoming more pressing. Based on our experiences when Norway held the chairmanship in 1999, we emphasise the need for strengthening the secretariat. A stronger secretariat is a prerequisite for the planning and deployment of field missions and for a more efficient management of their activities. We consider it important that smaller countries are able to take on the responsibility of the chairmanship. Smaller countries holding the chairmanship must be able to rely on the support of the secretariat in providing thorough support in thinking, planning and implementation. Norway is convinced that a stronger Secretary General and a stronger secretariat will contribute to a stronger chairmanship and also to more equality between participating states.
Norway welcomes the decision made during the OSCE Ministerial Council in Sofia, 6-7 December 2004, on establishing a panel of Eminent Persons, tasked to strenghten the effectiveness of the OSCE.
Over the past few years improvements have taken place in the relationship between key international organisations, not least when it comes to field activities. Norway believes, however, that even more should be done. Norway held the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) from May to November 2004. The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs launched an initiative for closer co-operation between the CoE and the OSCE, which led to CoE and OSCE decisions to establish a Co-ordination Group (OSCE Decision no. 637 of 2 December 2004).