On Tuesday September 20, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov met with Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in New York on the sidelines of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly.
According to the Tajik MFA information department, the two discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the OSCE.
They also discussed a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest.
Mr. Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov, the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations, also attended the meeting.
The OSCE’s engagement in Tajikistan began in February 1994. The Mission’s initial mandate was to facilitate dialogue between regional and political forces; promote respect for human rights; foster and monitor Tajikistan’s adherence to OSCE norms and principles; and help the country develop its legal and democratic institutions and processes. In 2002, a new broadened mandate established the Center in Dushanbe and included economic and environmental security issues. Six years later, the States adopted an even more robust mandate, introducing the complex area of border management into the OSCE’s tasks and changing the name of the Center to Office in Tajikistan.
As one of the largest OSCE field operations, the Office is involved in a wide range of activities, ranging from arms control, counter-terrorism and border management projects to supporting cross-border markets and free economic zones, human rights, media development, and legal reform initiatives.
