OSCE valuable partner for Afghanistan, Chairperson says during visit to Northern Province

KUNDUZ PROVINCE, Afghanistan, 17 May 2011 – The OSCE's engagement with Afghanistan contributes to efforts to build regional security and should be strengthened to make a bigger impact, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis said today during a visit to Kunduz Province.

"The OSCE, its Lithuanian Chairmanship and the Lithuanian Provincial Reconstruction Team understand the multitude of challenges facing Afghanistan requires a comprehensive, co-ordinated response," Ažubalis said during a one-day visit to Afghanistan’s Kunduz Province near the border to Tajikistan, where he was hosted by Governor Mohammad Anwar Jegdalek.

"The OSCE, with its multifaceted approach to security that includes the politico-military, the economic and environmental, as well as the human dimensions, is part of this response. Our projects have helped strengthen the border with Tajikistan, and I hope that we will be able to do more in the future."

Ažubalis underlined that dealing with the security challenges in the region and Afghanistan required enhanced regional co-operation and co-ordination of international efforts.

In line with this goal, the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship is organizing a conference on combating drug trafficking and enhancing border management in the OSCE area on 16-17 June in Vienna.

Afghanistan became an OSCE Partner for Co-operation in 2003. OSCE Partners can participate in OSCE events and activities with financial support from a special fund provided voluntarily by some OSCE participating States.

In 2007, foreign ministers from the 56 OSCE participating States adopted a decision to engage with Afghanistan. To implement this decision, the Organization has supported the country by training more than 100 Afghan customs and border guard officers and by providing training courses for Afghan police officers on counter-narcotics strategies and methods to detect forged documents.

In addition, OSCE field operations located in Central Asia engage with Afghanistan through work to promote border security and management, and cross-border trade.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights sent Election Support Teams to assist in the preparations for and conduct of elections in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

At an OSCE Summit in December 2010 in Astana, Kazakhstan, OSCE leaders underscored the need to contribute effectively "to collective international efforts to promote a stable, independent, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan".

Lithuania, which holds the 2011 OSCE Chairmanship, is prioritizing work to strengthen engagement with Afghanistan.