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The new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara will outline the Ukrainian Chairmanship’s priorities to the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday, 17 January in Vienna.

Advancing the resolution of protracted conflicts, including the Transdniestrian settlement; making progress in arms control and confidence-building measures, promoting environmental aspects of energy-related activities and supporting fight against human trafficking are among the priorities to be presented.

Ukraine took over the annual rotating OSCE Chairmanship on 1 January 2013 from Ireland. In 2014 and 2015 the OSCE will be chaired by Switzerland and Serbia, respectively.

The Permanent Council is one of the OSCE's main regular decision-making bodies gathering representatives of all 57 participating States of the Organization and 11 Partners for Co-operation. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make decisions.