Pavestolens representants ord til OSSE-konferansen i Oslo

Holy see addresses OSCE meeting in Norway

VATICAN CITY, DEC 3, 1998 (VIS) - The VII Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) began a two-day meeting yesterday in Oslo, Norway. This annual encounter, in which the Holy See participates, allows member countries to study the most important current issues of security and political cooperation.

Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States, led a delegation from the Holy See. He was accompanied by Msgrs. Alain Lebeaupin, charge d'affaires at the apostolic nunciature to European communities, Mario Zenari, permanent representative to the OSCE and Ivan Jurkovic, an official of the Secretariat of State.

Archbishop Tauran's speech in French was made public this morning. In a reference to what he termed "the human dimension," he said: "The Holy See is persuaded that the believers of OSCE member countries, aware of their responsibilities, will continue to be convincing promoters of (this dimension). The defense of life, educating to peace, freedom and respect of conscience, social justice and solidarity, respect for nature are also domains where human beings, in all of their dimensions, including the religious one, must be able to affirm themselves. Stability and security on the continent cannot be a lasting reality if they are based on a human and spiritual void."

DELSS/OSCE/NORWAY:TAURAN VIS 981203 (200)