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, says the statement on OSCE website.

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.