Newsroom
Regional approach needed to combat Central Asia common "plagues"
ASTANA 4 June 2001
ASTANA, 4 June 2001 (OSCE) - A transboundary approach is needed together with a coordinated response at the national and international level to combat international terrorism, organized crime, illegal trafficking in drugs, weapons, and human beings, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Mircea Dan Geoana, said today on the first day of his tour of Central Asia.
In a meeting today with the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, Mr. Geoana welcomed the constructive collaboration that the OSCE's presence in the country had with the authorities and outlined areas of continuous effort needed in the fields of the judicial and penitentiary systems, police and media law.
Taking note of Kazakh concerns about possible incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the impact of the Afghan conflict on neighbouring countries, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office advocated a regional approach. "Strong borders are essential to prevent illegal trafficking while ensuring effective arrangements for the free legal flow of goods, services and ideas. But no substantial steps will be taken to eradicate some of the plagues Central Asia republics are sharing without a regional and international approach", said Geoana. He suggested dealing with the key water management and energy issues in Central Asia from a regional perspective. In this respect, the Romanian Foreign Minister praised Kazakhstan participation in regional security forums such as the Collective Security Agreement (CSA) and the Shanghai Five, as well as its Chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building measures in Asia (CICA).
As important as the security dimension is, democracy and protection of human rights are also essential elements for the security and stability in the region, added Geoana, who will visit Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in coming days.
The OSCE has offered its services on specific projects related to the training of judges, assistance in the field of alternative sentencing, as well as police training and border monitoring. The OSCE has also expressed its readiness, with other organizations, to provide support for water management to help avoid regional tensions.
The OSCE has been present in Kazakhstan since 1999. Its activities include initiatives in all of the various dimensions of security, ranging from fostering political dialogue between the government and the civil society to the promotion of gender and environmental awareness.
--
For further information please contact Josue Anselmo, OSCE Spokesperson, mobile (+43) 664 325 3698, or the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180, or e-mail: info@osce.org.
In a meeting today with the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, Mr. Geoana welcomed the constructive collaboration that the OSCE's presence in the country had with the authorities and outlined areas of continuous effort needed in the fields of the judicial and penitentiary systems, police and media law.
Taking note of Kazakh concerns about possible incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the impact of the Afghan conflict on neighbouring countries, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office advocated a regional approach. "Strong borders are essential to prevent illegal trafficking while ensuring effective arrangements for the free legal flow of goods, services and ideas. But no substantial steps will be taken to eradicate some of the plagues Central Asia republics are sharing without a regional and international approach", said Geoana. He suggested dealing with the key water management and energy issues in Central Asia from a regional perspective. In this respect, the Romanian Foreign Minister praised Kazakhstan participation in regional security forums such as the Collective Security Agreement (CSA) and the Shanghai Five, as well as its Chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building measures in Asia (CICA).
As important as the security dimension is, democracy and protection of human rights are also essential elements for the security and stability in the region, added Geoana, who will visit Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in coming days.
The OSCE has offered its services on specific projects related to the training of judges, assistance in the field of alternative sentencing, as well as police training and border monitoring. The OSCE has also expressed its readiness, with other organizations, to provide support for water management to help avoid regional tensions.
The OSCE has been present in Kazakhstan since 1999. Its activities include initiatives in all of the various dimensions of security, ranging from fostering political dialogue between the government and the civil society to the promotion of gender and environmental awareness.
--
For further information please contact Josue Anselmo, OSCE Spokesperson, mobile (+43) 664 325 3698, or the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180, or e-mail: info@osce.org.