Norwegian takes charge of the OSCE mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan

In his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy has appointed Norwegian Ivar Kristian Vikki (b. 1943) as the new head of the OSCE mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Until now Mr Vikki has been head of the UN Office for Human Rights in Abkhazia, Georgia. He has previously served as deputy head of the OSCE mission in Georgia, and has worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council in North Ossetia, Russia.

As head of mission, Mr Vikki will have the title of ambassador. He will take up his duties on 29 March 2004.