The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is offering to help several North African countries build democratic institutions, the group's newly appointed leader Lamberto Zannier said Thursday, DPA reported.
Following the Arab Spring democratic uprisings that led to regime change in Tunisia and Egypt and to reforms in Morocco, the OSCE has been in contact with these three countries, Zannier told reporters in Vienna, where the organization is seated.
"The OSCE would have the tools to do it," he said.
The 56-country organization has expertise and programmes in election management, building democratic institutions, training police and fostering media freedom, as part of its mandate to prevent conflicts.
Arab spring countries have not yet requested the OSCE to provide help.
The OSCE "could be a relevant actor because security in this area is relevant for security in Europe," Zannier said, citing oil trade, migration, and cooperation on fighting terrorism between countries north and south of the Mediterranean.
Zannier started as OSCE secretary general this month. For the past three years, the Italian diplomat had headed the UN mission in Kosovo.