COPENHAGEN, 13 February 2012 – OSCE PA President Petros Efthymiou made the following statement today on the selection of Switzerland and Serbia to chair the OSCE in 2014 and 2015, respectively:

"I would like to express my sincere congratulations to Switzerland and Serbia on being awarded the OSCE Chairmanship for 2014 and 2015 respectively.

I am very pleased that the OSCE participating States agreed to this joint proposal and I wish our Swiss and Serbian friends every success as they prepare for their chairmanships. I look forward to fruitful co-operation with Switzerland and Serbia and all OSCE Institutions, and I am confident that these countries will continue the Organization's ongoing work to strengthen co-operation in tackling modern security challenges.

The Swiss parliamentary participation in election observation missions and the Serbian Parliament's recent hosting of the OSCE PA Annual Session are tangible symbols of two parliamentary delegations who show their commitments to the OSCE with practical actions. I'm glad to see this dedication further showcased by their governments accepting the responsibility of chairing the Organization."