Parliamentarians to debate OSCE co-operation with Afghanistan

COPENHAGEN, 25 June 2012 – Governments should increase their contributions to Afghanistan border security projects by 2014 and beyond, according to a resolution now pending before the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

Francois-Xavier De Donnea, head of the Belgian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and a former defence minister, has introduced the resolution for consideration at the Assembly’s Annual Session 5-9 July in Monaco.

“Afghanistan’s security is vital to the whole OSCE area,” said De Donnea. “To commit to peace and security in our region requires us all to commit to funding projects in Afghanistan that improve border management and strengthen law enforcement.”

The resolution calls for the 56 OSCE participating States to increase their contributions toward OSCE activities related to border security, civil policing training, and combating illegal forms of trafficking in Afghanistan. The measure also calls for the Afghan government to hold credible and inclusive elections and ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights. It encourages Afghan officials and civil society to be more involved in OSCE activities.

Afghanistan is an OSCE Partner for Co-operation and borders three OSCE participating States.

The resolution also calls on governments and OSCE Institutions to strengthen dialogue with Afghanistan to promote a safe, stable, prosperous and democratic country.  See the full text of the resolution here.

The resolution is co-sponsored by 53 parliamentarians from 18 different countries. Resolutions adopted at the Annual Session along with the Monaco Declaration help to shape OSCE and national policy. The Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public.

Media Contact:  Neil Simon, OSCE PA, neil@oscepa.dk, +45 60 10 83 80 mobile

This is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 320 parliamentarians from 55 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.