Central Asia plays important role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in regional visit

BERN, 22 November 2014 - Central Asia plays an important role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter said as he concluded a four-day visit to the Central Asian republics of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, from 19 to 22 November 2014.

Burkhalter discussed the work and activities of the OSCE presences and their importance in contributing to the security of the OSCE region. He also discussed the Ukraine crisis, how it affects the region, and the importance of de-escalation of violence, safety and security for all. The Ukraine crisis had shown the usefulness of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and as an operational responder, Burkhalter said. He added that it was essential to continue and even intensify OSCE efforts to assist Ukraine in stabilizing the situation, particularly through the valuable work of the Trilateral Contact Group and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. Burkhalter called upon all sides in the Ukraine crisis to refrain from violence and any acts which could provoke unpredictable chain reactions beyond control.

Burkhalter, who made use of his visit in the region to meet with representatives of civil society, also discussed co-operation between the authorities and the OSCE on a number of common issues such as border management, good governance, sustainable energy, trafficking and freedom of media. In Kyrgyzstan, he welcomed the decision of the President to continue the Community Security Initiative until the end of 2015.

Foreign terrorist fighters and terrorism were also an important topic of the discussions in the region. “Combating terrorism and the phenomenon of young people travelling abroad to join terrorist organizations will be discussed at the OSCE Ministerial Council, taking place in Basel from 4 to 5 December 2014. International cooperation against terrorism has become ever more important, and the OSCE can provide real added valued in this regard,” Burkhalter said.

Commitments of the politico-military, economic and environmental and human dimensions were in focus throughout the visit. “There is such potential in the region. There is also a strong case for making more use of the OSCE to strengthen co-operative security in the economic and environmental field. We are open to engage, work on prevention and offer expertise,” said Burkhalter.