DUSHANBE, July 4, 2008, Asia-Plus — Regional issues were discussed a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with Mr. Miroslav Jenca, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), here on July 3.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Jenca said that he had informed President Rahmon of the beginning of work of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy and further plans.
According to him, to determine immediate priorities of the Center they consider it necessary to conduct consultations with representative of all Central Asia’s countries.
The UNRCCA head noted that the Center will closely cooperate with other regional organizations.
Commenting on a role of the Center in settling water-and-energy problems, Mr. Jenca said that those problems are typical for the region and they had been discussed during his meeting with President Rahmon.
“As representatives of the organization having political character, we will promote seeking solution to this problem,” Jenca said, noting that solution of this problem requires time and political will.
Asked about his view on negative attitude of separate countries to construction of hydropower plants in Tajikistan, Mr. Jenca stressed that he intends to visit all countries in the region to discuss with their leaders essential problems in order to facilitate finding solution to them.
“Secondly, we are subordinate directly to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council and we will offer them solutions for the situation in the region,” said the UNRCCA head. “I think there are no overt conflicts here; however, there are problems that may change into undesirable situations. Therefore, the Center should assist the countries with building capacities to peacefully prevent possible conflicts.”
According to him, the Center will work closely with UN agencies and programs operating in Central Asia and also regional groups, exchanging information with them and promoting coordination of their actions.
United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is tasked with assisting the governments of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan “in building capacities to peacefully prevent conflict, in facilitating dialogue, and in catalyzing international support behind projects and initiatives. Cross-border threats and challenges such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and environmental degradation are likely to be high on the agenda.
