OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL HOLDS SESSION

VIENNA, Jan 17 (Hina) - The priorities of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2002 will be stepping up the fight against terrorism and implementing an action plan adopted at the Bucharest ministerial conference, the new chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, said at the Council's first session this year in Vienna on Tuesday. Gama said the OSCE would intensify efforts to prevent conflicts, protect peace and reconstruct formerly war-affected areas during the Portuguese presidency. He also said coordination among the OSCE, the U.N., NATO, the European Union, and the Western European Union should be improved to prevent the repetition of the same or similar activities. Special attention will be paid to environmental protection and economic development, especially in countries in transition. The OSCE will play a particularly important role in South-East European countries in the reconstruction of formerly war-affected areas, provision of security and reconciliation, the new OSCE chairman said. Speaking about the last report of the OSCE Mission in Croatia, Gama welcomed the progress Croatia made in fulfilling its international obligations, saying the OSCE would continue assisting the Croatian government authorities in the implementation of reforms and fulfilment of remaining obligations. (hina) sb rml