OSCE Chairperson meets U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, says U.S. support is key to renewed security dialogue

WASHINGTON, 4 February 2010 - The U.S. role in the OSCE is key to the renewed security dialogue launched in the Organization, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Foreign Minister, Kanat Saudabayev, today after talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I was encouraged to hear Secretary Clinton's strong support for the OSCE, in particular for the Organization's work to renew European security dialogue and the importance of the forum provided by the OSCE within the framework of the Corfu process," Saudabayev said.

The Chairperson-in-Office said the Corfu process aims to reconfirm the common achievements of the OSCE community, including the commitments the 56 participating States have undertaken, while addressing security issues and the lack of trust among participating States. "All participating States have embraced this process, demonstrating a political will to preserve a co-operative and indivisible security in wider Europe," Saudabayev added.

Clinton and Saudabayev also discussed the OSCE's plans for enhanced involvement with Afghanistan, an OSCE Asian Partner for Co-operation.

Minister Saudabayev emphasized the importance for the OSCE of organizing a Summit this year, which would be the first since 1999.

"For 35 years the OSCE has brought together Central Asia, the Russian Federation, the United States, Canada and Europe to bridge differences, promote democratic standards and address common security concerns. The Organization remains the natural forum for a discussion on the future of European security," he said.

As part of his visit to the United States, Minister Saudabayev also made a speech at the Atlantic Council on "Geopolitics in Eurasia".

The Chairperson-in-Office will address the UN Security Council in New York on 5 February.