KIEV, Jan. 2 – Starting on January 1, 2013, Ukraine assumes the chairmanship of the 57-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

During its chairmanship, Ukraine will make every effort to settle protracted conflicts, strengthen the control over the conventional arms and the fight against human trafficking, reduce the impact of energy sector on the environment and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Foreign Ministry's quoted Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara as saying.