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OSCE meeting explores synergies among regional organisations in Central Asia

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VIENNA -- The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Forum for Security Co-operation Wednesday (July 10) met under the chairmanship of Tajikistan in Vienna.

Participants focused on experiences and best practices of co-operation among regional organisations, particularly the OSCE, the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) and the European Union (EU) in Central Asia, the OSCE said in a statement.

The meeting provided a platform for senior officials to share their views on possibilities for co-operation, as well as on shared commitments against transnational and emerging threats.

SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov highlighted close co-operation between the SCO and the OSCE. The organisations should work together to counter new challenges and threats and foster sustainable development not only in Central Asia and Afghanistan but also in the Eurasian space, he said.

Positive regional dynamics and greater openness to regional and international co-operation in Central Asia present new opportunities for engagement, said OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger.

Leveraging partnerships must be a centrepiece of regional organisations’ collective response to this encouraging trend, he said.

"From our side we stand ready to step up inter-institutional co-operation. I see potential in a number of areas, including countering terrorism, drugs and human trafficking, as well as promoting disaster risk reduction and economic and environmental security in Central Asia," said Greminger.

"We have fully recognised the strategic importance of Central Asia for regional and global security and stability," said EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, referring to the EU's new strategy for Central Asia.

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