Albert II, king of Belgians, visits the OSCE
The king of Belgians, Albert II, visited the Organization for Security- and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the 28th of September 2006 and was accompanied by OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht. The royal visit was to honor Belgian chairmanship of the OSCE which is due to end on January 1st. 2007 when Spain will take over the chairmanship. Belgium will continue to serve as a part of the Troika, a body made of previous, current and succeeding Chairmen of the organization.
King Albert II is the younger son of Leopold III and Astrid, princess of Sweden; he was crowned king in the year 1993 following the death of his elder brother and former king Baudouin who had ruled Belgium since 1951. During his visit the king participated in an OSCE working group and attended a Permanent Council meeting where Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht delivered a speech. Following the meeting the king invited the OSCE ambassadors to a reception and lunch.
