OSCE mission heads' meeting stresses increasing importance of Central Asian region
(OSCE/Lubomir Kotek)Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, Director of the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre, opens the Central Asian Heads of Missions meeting, Dushanbe, 7 October 2002. (OSCE/Lubomir Kotek)
DUSHANBE, 7 October 2002 - The Central Asian region is becoming increasingly important for the OSCE, the Director of the Organization's Conflict Prevention Centre, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, told a regional meeting in the Tajik capital today.
Opening the biannual gathering of the heads of OSCE missions in the five Central Asian States - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - he stressed the OSCE should look at how to enhance its role in Central Asia in a way that reflects an appropriate balance between the various dimensions of its activities.
"To reflect the increasing importance of Central Asia for the OSCE, we should increase co-operation at all levels," Zannier said. "This should not only be among the countries of the region, but also among various international organizations."
The two-day meeting of the OSCE Heads of Mission will review political developments within Central Asia, and discuss the Organization's approach in the region.
"We should not address the challenges in the area with prepared, ready-made solutions, but rather try to develop an approach together with the Central Asian States," said Ambassador Herbert Salber, Special Adviser to the Portuguese Chairmanship. "The countries of the region insist on developing the OSCE's economic and environmental dimension. We should continue to look at this dimension with small, meaningful projects."
The Co-ordinator of the Taskforce for next year's Netherlands Chairmanship, Ambassador Daan Everts, emphasized the Dutch Government's announcement that Central Asia, together with the Caucasus, would be the prime focus of activities during 2003.
"There is likely to be a shift of resources to the region. We are keen to support you, to encourage more funding, particularly in technical assistance", he said.
"Co-operation with other international organizations and a better balance between the politico-military, human and economic and environmental dimensions of the OSCE will help enhance the role of the Organization", he added.
Opening the biannual gathering of the heads of OSCE missions in the five Central Asian States - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - he stressed the OSCE should look at how to enhance its role in Central Asia in a way that reflects an appropriate balance between the various dimensions of its activities.
"To reflect the increasing importance of Central Asia for the OSCE, we should increase co-operation at all levels," Zannier said. "This should not only be among the countries of the region, but also among various international organizations."
The two-day meeting of the OSCE Heads of Mission will review political developments within Central Asia, and discuss the Organization's approach in the region.
"We should not address the challenges in the area with prepared, ready-made solutions, but rather try to develop an approach together with the Central Asian States," said Ambassador Herbert Salber, Special Adviser to the Portuguese Chairmanship. "The countries of the region insist on developing the OSCE's economic and environmental dimension. We should continue to look at this dimension with small, meaningful projects."
The Co-ordinator of the Taskforce for next year's Netherlands Chairmanship, Ambassador Daan Everts, emphasized the Dutch Government's announcement that Central Asia, together with the Caucasus, would be the prime focus of activities during 2003.
"There is likely to be a shift of resources to the region. We are keen to support you, to encourage more funding, particularly in technical assistance", he said.
"Co-operation with other international organizations and a better balance between the politico-military, human and economic and environmental dimensions of the OSCE will help enhance the role of the Organization", he added.