On 1 January 2009, Greece assumed the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for 2009 and is being called upon to respond to the multi-faceted challenges of a particularly unstable environment. Greece has assumed the OSCE Chairmanship at this international juncture influenced by the global financial crisis, recent developments in the Caucasus and the discussion on the new European security structure. The extent of the responsibility and the challenge, which the OSCE Chairmanship represents, is great given the dimensions of the OSCE's field of action, which extends from Vancouver to Vladivostok, and also the dimensions of its activities which cover three separate dimensions of the Organization’s mission:
1. the politico-military, focusing on regional security, exercised collectively, based on early warning, conflict prevention and, where needed, crisis management;
2. the economic-environmental dimension, including the environment and all its aspects, immigration, economic and social policy, and
3. the human dimension, mainly concerned with human rights.
In order to fulfill the mission it has undertaken, the OSCE has 19 Missions and Offices in different parts of its broader geographical area. Its actions provide support and assistance to local authorities on issues of democratization, the rule of law, freedom of expression, equal representation of national and religious communities, combating corruption, as well as the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
During the 2009 Chairmanship, Greece is following the main guidelines drawn up by the Quintet with a view to ensuring the institutional and substantial continuation of the Organization’s activities. Greece has taken on the reins of the Organization with a full agenda. Of particular importance is the ongoing discussion on creating the new European security structure.
As Chairmanship-in-Office, Greece will responsibly and readily implement the political principles that govern its overall foreign policy: respect for international law and the rules of multilateral diplomacy, seeking the best possible convergence and consensus, reliability, and sincerity. Greece will be an honest mediator that will systematically work with a view to strengthening the OSCE's role in conflict prevention and crisis management. This is the promise that Foreign Minister Ms. Bakoyannis gave to the other 55 participating states of the Organization: “You can trust Greece”.