- Statement by OSCE, UN and EU Special Envoys on the situation in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 14 September 2010 - Zhanybek Karibzhanov, the Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office; Pierre Morel, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia; and Miroslav Jenca, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, made the following statement concerning the situation in Kyrgyzstan today:

"The Special Envoys confirm their support to the people and Government of Kyrgyzstan in the country’s endeavours to guarantee the secure and stable development of Kyrgyzstan inter alia to; strengthen democratic institutions; develop political dialogue; provide assistance to the victims of recent violence; achieve national reconciliation; protect human rights; and strengthen the rule of law including combating impunity and organised crime.

"Noting the particular importance of the forthcoming 10 October parliamentary elections, the Special Envoys urge all relevant actors, including the Government of Kyrgyzstan, to ensure that the elections are equal, free, fair and in line with international standards. The Special Envoys also call upon the political parties to show mutual tolerance and respect for opponents during the election campaign to ensure transparent and secure elections. Durable peace and stability can be achieved through continuous inclusive dialogue that addresses the whole range of challenges that the country faces.

"The international community stresses the importance of pursuing work in addressing the urgent social and economic problems facing the country.

"Following the donors’ meeting on 27 July 2010 and taking into account the ongoing efforts by the OSCE, UN and EU, the Special Envoys declare that the international community stands ready to provide its full support to Kyrgyzstan’s government in its work to reconstruct the affected areas and create a stable and prosperous future for the country and its people."

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- OSCE expert meeting concludes with call for enhanced co-operation to tackle energy security challenges

VILNIUS, 14 September 2010 - As the only regional security organization bringing together key energy producers, consumers and transit countries in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area, the OSCE has a role to play in promoting energy security co-operation, concluded an expert meeting in Vilnius today.

The two-day meeting, which ended today, was organized by Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship, the incoming Lithuanian Chairmanship for 2011 and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, speaking at the closing session of the conference, said that the 2011 Chairmanship would continue the Vilnius discussion by focusing on energy security and transport.

"With the participation of main energy producers, consumers and transit countries, the OSCE constitutes a favourable framework to deal with energy security challenges. The OSCE can offer for such a dialogue its unique pan-European and trans-Atlantic platform to support existing frameworks," he said.

More than 200 representatives from the 56 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, international organizations, business and academia attended the conference. Experts discussed such energy security challenges as establishing benchmarks for co-operation, advancing legal frameworks, developing infrastructure and ensuring its physical security, promoting transparency for fair competition and addressing climate change.

Goran Svilanovic, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said: "This Vilnius Special Expert Meeting represents a starting point.

"Energy security can mean different things for different stakeholders. Among this diversity of interests, concerns, perceptions and views, we are called to find a common denominator. In this regard I do believe continued dialogue and enhanced co-operation should be pursued. With growing interdependencies in a globalized world, lasting solutions to energy-related challenges can only be found if based on co-operative approaches."

The Secretary General will present a report based on the outcomes and recommendations of the Vilnius meeting ahead of the OSCE Summit in Astana in December.

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