French diplomat appointed OSCE project co-ordinator in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
French diplomat Alexis Chahtahtinsky has been appointed OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku, OSCE office in Baku said on February 14.
Chahtahtinsky will take his office from March 1, 2014.
"I look forward to establishing a confident working relationship with the Government of Azerbaijan, based on trust and mutual respect," Chahtahtinsky said commenting on his appointment.
Following the adoption of a new mandate by the OSCE Permanent Council on 26 July 2013, the OSCE Office in Baku was transformed into the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku as of 1 January 2014.
The Project Co-ordinator will build on the valuable work done by the OSCE Office in Baku. The head of the Baku office will also be the Projects Co-ordinator.
"In line with the new mandate, I will maintain contacts with governmental as well as nongovernmental bodies, local authorities, universities, research institutions, and NGOs of Azerbaijan. Together with members of my team, we will promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments through carrying out projects in all three dimensions, taking full advantage of the OSCE's unique, comprehensive security concept," Chahtahtinsky said.
Prior to this appointment, Alexis Chahtahtinsky served in Paris at the Foreign Ministry's Policy Planning Centre and as Special Adviser to the French Minister for Europe.
A career diplomat with over 20 years of experience in European security, he has served in various postings abroad: Head of the NATO Information Office in Moscow, Chargé d'Affaires in Belarus and Tajikistan, and Consul General of France in Krakow (Poland).
He also previously served as Deputy Head of the former OSCE Office in Baku.
The mandates of all OSCE field operations are agreed with the host country and approved based on consensus by all 57 OSCE participating states.
The annual mandate of the OSCE Office in Baku has been valid in the country since 2000.