OSCE holds conflict prevention conference in Kyiv

KYIV, 8 October 2001 (OSCE) - Conflict prevention functions of the OSCE and its partner organizations are on top of the agenda of an OSCE seminar, which takes place on 8 and 9 October in Kyiv, Ukraine. The event, which is hosted by the Ukrainian Government, was officially opened by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Anatoliy Zlenko, OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, and a representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana.

In his message to the participants, the Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma emphasized that choosing Kyiv as the place for conducting this seminar was an honour for the country. Ukraine in its ten years of independence has been an active contributor to conflict prevention efforts in a variety of areas, he added.

Foreign Minister Zlenko underscored the need to move towards the culture of conflict prevention. He spoke of the need for pro-active policies, and closer liaison between the OSCE and other actors. He emphasized the necessity to increase the analytical potential of the OSCE. In this context, the initiative of Ukraine to establish an Ethnic Research Centre under the auspices of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was reiterated. Ukraine suggested continuing to hold on a regular basis OSCE Seminars on preventive functions of the Organization and proposed Kyiv as possible venue for future meetings of the forum.

Strengthening conflict prevention will be central to the destiny of the OSCE in the new European security framework, stated the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in his message. "The moment has come for the OSCE to reconsider the concept of security against the backdrop of the recent terrorist attacks against the United States", he added. The Chairman-in-Office highlighted the importance of early warning and conflict prevention work that the OSCE Institutions are doing, and stressed the need for increased co-operation with other international organizations, such as the European Union, NATO and the United Nations.

Co-operation among international, sub-regional and non-governmental organizations, as well as with academic institutions were the core theme of the following deliberations. As the OSCE Secretary General stated, "the code-word is partnership especially among main actors working together in specific situations in the 'Euro-Atlantic-Asiatic' area".

Participants agreed that the OSCE, as a key preventive mechanism structure, must focus more on new security threats, including terrorism. The meeting was taking place in the wake of current developments in and around Afghanistan, a country bordering the OSCE area.

More than a hundred and fifty representatives from almost all 55 OSCE participating States, representatives of international organizations, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions, as well as the OSCE Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation are participating in this event, which was intended to contribute to, in the words of Mr. Kubis, help the OSCE focus on what is essential in its work.

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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.