Central Asia key to stability across OSCE area, Chairman says

ASTANA, 2 July 2008 - Central Asia plays a key role in the OSCE, both as a region facing several challenges and as an active participant and supporter of the Organization's plans to intensify engagement with Afghanistan, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, said today.

"Building stability, prosperity and democracy in this region is vitally important for the whole OSCE area," Stubb told the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Annual Session, held in Astana.

He singled out the region's contribution towards building a democratic and stable Afghanistan as particularly important.

In the speech, Stubb also touched upon the idea of a new security treaty for the Euro-Atlantic area.

"Any ideas that open new avenues for co-operative security are worth exploring," he said, adding that he was looking forward to a dialogue on European security among all parties concerned.

"In the face of change, the core strengths of the OSCE are of lasting value. The emphasis on co-operative security, democracy, human rights and the rule of law - the basic functions - is still there."

During his visit to Astana, Stubb also met with President Nursultan Nazarbaev, Senate Chairman Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin as well as representatives of political parties and civil society.

In these meetings, Stubb emphasized the opportunity presented by Kazakhstan's approaching OSCE Chairmanship. He said that ahead of its 2010 OSCE Chairmanship, Kazakhstan had a unique chance to demonstrate its leadership by preparing carefully and by adopting and implementing reforms.

"The reform process that is underway here is even more crucial in light of the opportunity and challenge presented by the Chairmanship," Stubb said. "We in the OSCE welcome progress achieved so far, and hope to see swift continuation of reforms in fields such as media, elections and political parties."

Stubb also encouraged dialogue with the OSCE on all reforms, in particular those on freedom of assembly, political parties, elections, religious freedom and religious associations.

"I also want to emphasize the need for all political forces in society to have a chance to be heard. The Public Chamber is an appreciated venue for such dialogue, and I would be glad to see more opportunities of this kind," Stubb said. "Democracy can flourish only when all parts of society can participate in the public debate."