OSCE Chairperson examines Cheonan corvette report, offers condolences to bereaved families, supports measures for maintaining peace in Northeast Asia

ASTANA, 21 May 2010 - Following the release of the report on the sinking of the South Korean corvette in March which resulted in the death of 46 sailors, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, emphasized today the need for intensified dialogue to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

"I am concerned about this tragic incident and offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and to the South Korean government and its people. South Korea is an important partner of the OSCE. The OSCE Chairmanship supports all efforts to develop dialogue and safeguard peace in Northeast Asia," he said.

An international conference on multilateral co-operation on security in Northeast Asia and the applicability of the OSCE experience was held in Almaty on 26 and 27 April.

Earlier this week, at the OSCE Conference with the Organization's Asian Partners held in Seoul, participants discussed how the OSCE concept of promoting comprehensive security through co-operation and dialogue might also be used in Asia.