International Secretariat
The International Secretariat provides administrative support for the Assembly in its various activities. The Secretariat organizes the meetings of the Assembly, including the Annual Session, meetings of the Standing Committee and the Bureau. The Secretariat also does preparatory work for election monitoring projects, special missions and Presidential visits. Its work is carried out in co-operation with other OSCE Institutions and other International Parliamentary Organizations.
Budget
National contributions to the Budget of the Assembly are apportioned according to the formula used to divide the costs of the intergovernmental OSCE. The OSCE PA Treasurer, assisted by the Secretary General, presents to the Standing Committee the draft budget for the following financial year. The Standing Committee approves the budget and makes it available to the Assembly at its Annual Session. The Assembly's budget covers most of the organizational and staff expenses relating to the Annual Sessions, Fall and Winter Meetings, Standing Committee and Bureau Meetings. Missions, official visits and the election monitoring programmes, as well as the costs of the International Secretariat's staff salaries, travel and office maintenance are also included in the annual budget. Host Parliaments of the Annual Sessions have all contributed significantly by providing considerable support to these regular events, ensuring their successes and contributing to substantive cost savings.
Copenhagen Headquarters
The International Secretariat is based in Copenhagen, where the Danish Folketing has very generously provided excellent office facilities free of charge for the Assembly's International Secretariat. There is also a Liaison Office in Vienna. Austria makes a generous contribution to the OSCE PA office premises there.
R Spencer Oliver, United States
Secretary General Spencer Oliver was chosen as the first Secretary General of the Assembly by the first Bureau meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in October 1992 and confirmed unanimously by the Standing Committee of Heads of Delegation at their meeting in Copenhagen in 1993.
The Standing Committee of Heads of Delegations decided in 1995 to provide for a five year term for the Secretary General. At that time Mr. Oliver was unanimously re-elected and was subsequently re-elected twice for five year terms.
Previously, Mr. Oliver served 22 years as a staff member in the US Congress, including as Chief of Staff of the US Helsinki Commission from 1976-1985 and as Chief Counsel of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives until January 1993. He also served in several senior diplomatic positions on U.S. delegations to CSCE Review and Expert Meetings between 1977 and 1993.
Tina Schøn, Denmark
Deputy Secretary General Tina Schoen was appointed in 2005, having worked in the International Secretariat first as Research Co-ordinator and then as Programme Officer since April 1999. In addition to assisting the Secretary General with the overall management of the International Secretariat, she has primary responsibility for the Assembly’s activities in the Caucasus, including the Ad Hoc Committee on Abkhazia (Georgia). She also organizes election observation missions.
Gustavo Pallares, Spain
Deputy Secretary General Gustavo Pallares was appointed in 2007, having worked in the International Secretariat since February 2001 as Presidential Advisor. During this period Mr. Pallares has been responsible for the overall co-ordination of the activities of the Assembly’s President.
Mr. Pallares assists the Secretary General in his functions and continues to oversee the activities of the Presidency while having primary responsibility for organizing all meetings of the Assembly.
Andreas Nothelle, Germany
Ambassador Andreas Nothelle is a constitutional lawyer and a senior civil servant, who served in the German Bundestag for more than 18 years. He has been heading the OSCE PA Liaison Office in Vienna, which is an important communication link between the OSCE’s governmental structures in Vienna and the OSCE PA, since its establishment.
Mr. Nothelle has served in a wide range of posts within the German Bundestag Administration, including as Secretary of the Committee on Labour and Social Affairs, Head of the Office of a former President of the Bundestag, and as Head of the Division on Interparliamentary Affairs.
Andreas Baker, Canada
Presidential Advisor Andreas Baker was appointed in April 2008, after having served as Programme / Press Officer since February 2005. He is responsible for the overall co-ordination of the activities of the Assembly’s President.
Mr. Baker also supports the Assembly’s Third General Committee, helps co-ordinate the work of the Research Fellowship team, and assists in organizing and supporting election observation activities. He joined the Secretariat after working in the Canadian House of Commons.
Klas Bergman, Sweden
Director of Communications Klas Bergman joined the staff in January 2007. He is responsible for publicizing the work of the Assembly and manages its website. He serves as the Assembly's press spokesman and oversees its news bulletin News from Copenhagen as well as other promotional material.
Mr. Bergman has served as communications director and spokesman at the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme as well as at Stanford University and Yale University.
Dana Bjerregaard, United States
Dana Bjerregaard serves as the Assistant to the Secretary General. She arranges the schedule of the Secretary General and is responsible for his correspondence and liaison with OSCE Institutions, as well as co-ordinating the flow of information between and among the staff of the International Secretariat.
Marc Carillet, France
Liaison Officer Marc Carillet joined the International Secretariat in July 2007. A former Research Fellow, Mr. Carillet previously worked in the field of external relations for the European Union.
Mr. Carillet is responsible for supporting the PA’s Special Representative in Vienna in maintaining the communication between the governmental structures of the OSCE and the Assembly.
Anna Chernova, United States
Programme Officer Anna Chernova joined the International Secretariat in February 2006. Ms. Chernova is responsible for supporting the Assembly’s activities in Belarus and Moldova, as well as Assembly activities in Central Asia. She also assists in organizing election observation missions.
With a degree in International Relations from Boston College, Ms. Chernova has held Fulbright and IREX graduate research fellowships to Russia and Bulgaria, focusing on issues of refugee and minority rights, as well as conflict resolution.
Semyon Dzakhaev, Russian Federation
Senior Counsellor Semyon Dzakhaev is responsible for organizing meetings of the Assembly, including Annual Sessions and Winter Meetings, meetings of the Standing Committee and the Bureau, and various conferences and seminars. In addition, he serves as the liaison officer with the national parliaments of the CIS region.
He joined the International Secretariat in February 2008.
Petra Jezkova, Czech Republic
Logistics Officer Petra Jezkova joined the International Secretariat in the end of January 2008. She is responsible for the practical arrangements of election observation missions and also works as a member of the communication team.
Ms. Jezkova joined the Secretariat after completing the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program (a Fulbright Exchange Activity) in the field of Public Policy, Public Health & International Development at the University of North Carolina.
Odile Lelarge, France
Odile Lelarge joined the staff as Conference Co-ordinator in July 2006. Her responsibilities include assisting Deputy Secretary Gustavo Pallares in organizing all OSCE PA meetings, including logistics, hotels, notices and all other details related to the organization of the Annual Sessions, meetings of the Bureau, Standing Committee and various conferences and seminars.
Prior to joining the International Secretariat, Ms. Lelarge worked as Project Manager of employment-focused projects in the EU.
Kurt Lerras, Denmark
Kurt Lerras joined the staff of the International Secretariat in February 1993 after having served for eighteen years in the Danish Parliament, including in its International Department. After having worked for several years as General Services Officer, he currently holds the position of Administrative Director. Working with the Secretary General, he ensures that all expenditures are properly authorised and vouchered.
He is also responsible for acquiring and maintaining equipment and supplies for the International Secretariat, and for the physical arrangements of all Assembly meetings.
Connie Mathiesen, Denmark
Connie Mathiesen joined the staff of the International Secretariat in 1997. She is responsible for maintaining the files and the records of the Assembly and distributing all correspondence which comes to the International Secretariat.
She also backs up the Financial Assistant, Per-Henrik Durr in maintaining and administering financial matters in the Secretariat.
Roberto Montella, Italy
Programme Officer Roberto Montella joined the International Secretariat in June 2009. A former Research Assistant at the OSCE PA, Mr. Montella has served for ten years in the OSCE Field Missions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro as International Election Officer, Political Affaris Officer, Programme Coordinator and Executive Advisor to the Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia. Most recently Mr. Montella served as Coordinator of the Carter Center's Election Observers in Lebanon.
Nat Parry, United States
Research/Publications Officer Nat Parry joined the International Secretariat in February 2008. His responsibilities include maintenance of the Parliamentary Assembly’s web site, co-ordinating – along with the Programme Officers – the work of the Research Fellows, producing content for and designing the layout of OSCE PA publications, and providing general support for the PA communications office.
Stephen Paul, United States
IT Specialist Stephen Paul joined the staff of the International Secretariat in April 2008. He provides IT support for OSCE PA as well as assisting the Director of Communications with website administration. He also provides communication and logistical support at Assembly meetings.
Mr. Paul attended Simons Rock College of Bard and St. Johns University he graduated with majors in Computer Science and Economics. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Business. Mr. Paul joined the Secretariat after working as a Financial Analyst with American International Group. He speaks English and Spanish.
Pia Cathrin Rasmussen, Denmark
Pia Cathrin Rasmussen joined the staff of the Assembly as a Secretary in 1994 and has been promoted several times as she received specialised training in IT.
She sets up and maintains the computers for all members of the staff, and maintains the internal computer network.
She also helps in maintaining the Assembly website, and with communications with Assembly Delegations.