Finland supports OSCE work in Central Asia, South Caucasus and Eastern Europe

VIENNA, 14 July 2010 - The OSCE will further its work to promote stability, security and development in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe under a co-operation agreement with Finland, announced today.

Under the agreement, the Finnish Foreign Ministry will provide 3,565,000 euro for the OSCE's work in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe during a four-year period. The co-operation forms part of the Finnish Wider Europe Initiative, which seeks to strengthen Finland's development co-operation in the region.

The OSCE will use the funds to strengthen stability and security, and to promote social sustainability, democracy, human rights as well as the rule of law through regional and thematic extra-budgetary projects.

"This co-operation strengthens the OSCE's work in a crucial region, and it helps the Organization work to create lasting stability in its area - as intended by the leaders who signed the Helsinki Final Act 35 years ago," said OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

The Helsinki Final Act, signed 1 August 1975 in Helsinki by heads of state or governments in 35 countries, created the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which later developed into the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.