Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Cooperation Raz in address to Permanent Council underlines importance of partnership with OSCE

VIENNA, 10 November 2016 – Addressing the 57 OSCE participating States and the OSCE Partners for Co-operation in the Permanent Council in Vienna today, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Cooperation of Afghanistan Adela Raz underlined the importance to her country of its partnership with the OSCE.  

“The OSCE provides an effective forum for dialogue and co-operation – in addressing transnational challenges and threats, as well as in utilizing the opportunities that exist for regional co-operation towards security, stability and development, which is absolutely crucial for Afghanistan and for that region,” said Raz.

Pointing to an increasing number of participants from Afghanistan taking part in various OSCE activities, Raz continued: “Areas of co-operation such as border security and management, training for law enforcement, cross-border trade facilitation or anti-trafficking are critical and we can benefit tremendously.”

The Deputy Minister used the opportunity of her visit to the Permanent Council to outline her government’s efforts and programs to advance reforms, among others in the fields of anti-corruption, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and women’s economic empowerment, which are covered by five new National Priority Programs. Raz also mentioned Afghanistan’s National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace and Security which according to UN Women is among the most successful models in the region.

Germany’s OSCE Ambassador and Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council in 2016, Eberhard Pohl, expressed his wish that the active engagement by and with Afghanistan in the framework of the OSCE Partnership for Co-operation will be maintained and continue to progress.

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said: “I trust that the ongoing dialogue and our engagement with Afghanistan are helping to advance the country’s reform process. Our dialogue is a reflection of a true partnership for security in the region. We should take that partnership further, including by giving greater priority to youth.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Raz was also a keynote speaker at an OSCE Asian Contact Group meeting on 9 November in Vienna, which focused on “Security, stability and development in Afghanistan: Transforming threats into opportunities for the younger generation”.

Afghanistan joined the OSCE Partners for Co-operation in 2003.