COPENHAGEN, 30 June 2011 – The leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today congratulated Ambassador Lamberto Zannier on becoming the new Secretary General of the world’s largest regional security organization.

Ambassador Zannier of Italy was named to the position today after receiving consensus support from the 56 participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

“I congratulate Ambassador Zannier on his appointment as Secretary General of the OSCE,” said Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou. “The Parliamentary Assembly has for many years been calling for reform within the functioning of the OSCE. Among other things, we have called for a strengthening of the political role of the Secretary General, and I hope that Ambassador Zannier’s work will help to implement this recommendation, in the interests of the Organization overall.”

In continuing the tradition of close cooperation between the Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE governmental organization, President Efthymiou has invited the new Secretary General to address the Parliamentarians who will gather in Belgrade for their Annual Session 6-10 July. The address and question and answer session with parliamentarians has become valuable in adding transparency to OSCE operations.

“I worked well with Ambassador Zannier when he headed the Conflict Prevention Centre and look forward to renewing our positive working relationship,” said Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Spencer Oliver. “He is a smart, capable diplomat, and we look forward to his leadership in Vienna. As he settles in to his duties, we at the Parliamentary Assembly stand ready to assist him in any way in his transition. We hope the upcoming Belgrade Declaration, which our members will vote on next week, will provide the new Secretary General with ideas for potential reforms that would strengthen the organization.”