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Thank you Mr. President,
I congratulate you on assuming the office of the President of the Security Council for the month of May. We also thank Ambassador Eugene Gasana for his effective Presidency of the Council last month. Our thanks and best wishes to both teams.
We thank His Excellency Mr. Leonid Kozhara, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE for his comprehensive briefing and sharing with us the vision and programme of work of the Organization.
The OSCE, representing 57 states from Europe, Central Asia and North America, has been a pillar of strength for regional peace and security. Its best practices in early warning, conflict prevention and crisis management are being emulated by other regional organizations. The three dimensions of OSCE's work - the politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human - provide the best tools for a comprehensive response for security situations.
The United Nations, in pursuance of Chapter VIII of its Charter, co-opts regional organizations for the maintenance of international peace and security and the pacific settlement of disputes.
The United Nations and the OSCE have in the past complemented each other’s efforts aimed at conflict prevention, confidence and security building measures, mediation, crisis management and post-conflict stabilization.
During the Cold War, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the predecessor organization of the OSCE, played an important role by providing a forum for dialogue and negotiations between East and West. Following the end of the Cold War, the OSCE contributed to managing the transition in Europe and dealing with post-Cold War challenges.
We appreciate the important role OSCE is currently playing in facilitating various processes aimed at settlement of crises and conflicts in its region. These include the Transdniestrian settlement process, the Geneva International Discussions concerning security and humanitarian issues in the area of conflict in Georgia, and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs for assisting Azerbaijan and Armenia to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
We welcome the European Union-led dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. The OSCE's role to support this dialogue is very helpful.
The OSCE's initiatives on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control are producing results. We also deeply value OSCE's work to counter transnational threats, such as human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and terrorism and cyber crimes.
The UN and the OSCE have similar priorities for economic and environmental dimensions, as well as sustainable energy for all. What we need is more synergy and closer coordination between the two organizations.
We believe that OSCE’s own successes in these fields are relevant to South Asia and many other regions.
The human dimension is equally important. The OSCE's focus on youth and children is geared towards futuristic solutions for more developed, more educated, and more tolerant societies.
We particularly appreciate the activities of OSCE in Afghanistan for capacity building of the Afghan National Police, combating drug trafficking, and customs and border management.
Pakistan strongly believes that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan will help the people of Afghanistan rediscover their destiny, consolidate their polity and rebuild their economy.
As the international security forces prepare to withdraw by 2014, OSCE's continued engagement with Afghanistan will have a positive impact on four transitions underway: security, reconciliation, electoral, and economic.
We particularly welcome the Chair’s intention to explore further areas of cooperation for capacity building in Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, we wish Ukraine a very successful chairmanship of the OSCE. We take note of their priorities and hope that under their stewardship the Organization will continue its important work ranging from hard security issues to sustainable economic development to promotion and protection of human rights.
I thank you.