OSCE-Tajikistan task force outlines comprehensive cross-dimensional co-operation

DUSHANBE, 22 February 2010 – Some 90 participants – including OSCE officials as well as representatives of the Tajik government and civil society - discussed achievements and the challenges ahead at the fifth and largest-ever Task Force Meeting on OSCE and Tajikistan held in Dushanbe today.

Both sides confirmed their readiness to work in all three dimensions of comprehensive security in Tajikistan, including on border management, engagement with Afghanistan, political dialogue, police reform and counter-terrorism, energy and environmental security and support for the Ombudsman and human rights.

The Task Force was first launched in 2007 as a forum for consultation to discuss the OSCE's work in the political-military, economic and environmental and human dimensions of security.

"The Organization's contribution to strengthening the foundations of security and stability in Tajikistan deserves special attention,” said Nizomiddin Zohidov, the Tajik Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in his opening remarks. “We note with satisfaction the level of co-operation existing between Tajikistan and the OSCE.”

The Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, Ambassador Ivar Vikki, said: “Since it was initiated in 2006, the Task Force mechanism has been instrumental in creating a strategic partnership between the OSCE and Tajikistan. At today’s meeting we have discussed not only how the OSCE may support Tajikistan, but also how Tajikistan may play a significant role in building stability in the region.”

“The 2011 Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship attaches great importance in its priorities and activities to the states in Central Asia, particularly in areas of transnational threats and the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Dainius Baublys, the Head of the OSCE Chairmanship Co-ordination Division at the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.

“The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security and the topics discussed here therefore touch on many aspects of the political, economic, environmental, societal and human aspects of security. The meeting is therefore very important, not only to understand how security can be sustained on a broad basis of democratic values, but also to jointly define priorities that are of most concern.”

Snjezana Bokulic, the Head of Human Rights Department of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, added: “This broad and inclusive dialogue has a lot of potential for intensifying co-operation with government counterparts and dialogue with civil society in the human dimension. The Office for Democratic Insitutions and Human Rights, within its mandate, is ready to render support to Tajikistan in the priorities identified today.”