OSCE can contribute to the transformation of Afghanistan: Secretary General

The OSCE can play a valuable role in supporting international efforts to ensure stability and build confidence in Afghanistan post 2014, Secretary General Lamberto Zannier has told an official meeting during the United Nations General Assembly from 22 to 29 September 2013, New York.

Speaking at the Heart of Asia Senior Official Meeting, part of the process to consolidate regional support to Afghanistan, Zannier said that with ISAF withdrawal and the Afghan presidential elections on the horizon “the transition decade is coming to a close and the transformation decade is beginning”. Transition must not be imposed but supported, with Central Asian States having greater ownership of the process to ensure that that the gains of the past decade were not reversed.

OSCE experience in confidence and security building measures, observing elections and building the capacity of Afghan customs, border and police officers, along with the Organization’s network of field operations in Central Asia, are advantages that should be fully used, he stressed.