Alexander Stubb was appointed Foreign Minister of Finland today. The new Minister, serving also as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, pledged to push ahead with Finland's Chairmanship priorities, the OSCE press office said.

"The work of any Chairmanship is the product of a large team effort involving the OSCE Task Force and Vienna delegation, Special Representatives and the OSCE's Vienna Secretariat as well as OSCE field operations and Institutions," said Stubb.

"My team will continue the work started by my predecessor Ilkka Kanerva. I warmly thank Mr. Kanerva for a strong and active contribution."

The Finnish Chairmanship will pursue the detailed schedule of work that builds on the OSCE's strengths as a forum for dialogue and a platform for action across Europe," the new Chairman-in-Office said.

Priorities of the 2008 Finnish OSCE Chairmanship include progress towards resolving the region's protracted conflicts, enhancing engagement with Afghanistan as well as co-operation on maritime and inland waterways, combating trafficking in human beings, promoting tolerance and non-discrimination and gender equality.