OSCE can help intensify regional dialogue and co-operation to help landlocked countries, official tells UN

NEW YORK, 3 October 2008 - OSCE support for landlocked participating States that are striving to overcome transit transportation challenges contributes to global efforts in this area, said an OSCE official addressing a UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday.

"The OSCE and other regional organizations have a lot to offer with regard to promoting the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action in their region" said Marc Baltes, Senior Adviser to the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

The high-level plenary meetings on the midterm review of the UN-endorsed Almaty Programme of Action held from 1 to 3 October in New York identified actions that could promote better global partnerships to strengthen the participation of landlocked developing countries in international trade and the world economy. They also included measures and policies to encourage greater foreign direct investment.

"The OSCE can play the role of a facilitator, a political catalyst offering a forum for intensified regional dialogue and co-operation among its participating States as well as among other stakeholders concerned," said Baltes.

He added that, in addition to supporting the appropriate implementation of relevant international legal instruments aimed at facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and transportation the OSCE in co-operation with partners was developing a Handbook of Best Practices at Border Crossing.

The publication will assist the OSCE's landlocked and transit developing states in adopting more efficient border and customs policies by promoting existing best practices in the field. It will cover both facilitation as well as security aspects of border-crossings and is expected to become a reference document for national policy makers and senior customs and border officials.

In 2006, the OSCE passed a Ministerial Council Decision on Future Transport Dialogue in the region.