Strengthening of cross-border partnership and OSCE security discussed in Prague

The theme of the Forum is "Promoting good governance at border crossings, improving the security of land transportation and facilitating international transport by road and rail in the OSCE region".

Head of the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the OSCE, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov in his welcome address noted that increase of effectiveness and safety of transport is of special importance for development of the regional economy. Security, economic and environmental aspects of facilitating international transport are one of he priorities of Kazakhstan's presidency in the OSCE in 2010.

Exchange of views promoting strengthening of cross-border partnership, simulation of economic development and strengthening of the security in OSCE region took place within the Forum.

"Complex approaches and understanding that effective, secure and environmentally-friendly transport system has special importance for strengthening of the regional cooperation, promotion of economic development and support of regional stability are necessary for solution of these problems", OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said.

"The world financial and economic crisis affected many of our countries, having negative impacts on the transport sector that support trade and stimulate the economic recovery", Coordinator of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Goran Svilanovic noted.

"Maximization of opportunities of the region and provision of more efficient and secure borders crossing along the Eurasian transport routs depend on the potential of the countries and their readiness to become links of integrated chain of supplies. The OSCE is able to contribute to this field by realization of projects on raising public awareness and capacity building", G.Svilanovic said.