On December 3-4, 2015, the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan has taken part in the 22nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Belgrade (Serbia).
In his speech, the head of the Uzbek delegation has focused the attention of the meeting participants on the important areas of 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting’s agenda.
First. Under the conditions of rapidly changing international situation, growing geopolitical tensions and political confrontation, the ongoing global financial and economic crisis, the growing threat of radicalism, terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking cause particular concern, as well as increasing number of conflicts and confrontations.
The continuing instability in Afghanistan, which tends to further exacerbate, bears a serious threat to the stability and security of Central Asia and wider region.
As speaker noted, the only solution to the Afghan problem is a peaceful political negotiations, achievement of internal consensus between the warring parties in the financial, economic, humanitarian support from donor countries and the active participation of the United Nations.
Uzbekistan firmly convinced that the resolution of any acute contradictions and conflicts is only possible through political and peaceful means, with full respect for the fundamental principles of international law.
Second. Today, climate change and environmental problems unprecedented in scope and destructiveness are in the limelight of the international community. These problems have global character and are leading to unpredictable, sometimes tragic consequences. Thus, the largest in recent history world ecological catastrophe of planetary scale – the tragedy of the Aral Sea occupies special place. The sea was on the verge of extinction over a period of one generation’s lifetime.
A direct consequence of the drying of sea became a dramatic climate change which has been felt not only in Central Asia but also far beyond its borders. In fact, the threatening effect of the Aral Sea disaster is observed today throughout the world.
The most serious impact of the Aral Sea tragedy has had on living conditions and the gene pool of 65 million people in Central Asia. Extremely unfavorable ecological environment, and reducing the lack of drinking water, the growth of serious diseases – this is only a summary and is not a complete list of the consequences of this tragedy.
That is why Uzbekistan can not afford due to the implementation of plans for the construction of huge dams and large hydropower plants on the tributaries of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, in the basins of which are concentrated oases of livelihoods of millions of people, disruption of the natural flow of the rivers has deteriorated the situation with water supply in the lower reaches, leading to radical disruption of water and ecological balance, exacerbate the problem of the Aral Sea and undermine the environmental safety of the vast region.
We believe that the issues of water and energy issues in Central Asia should be treated in accordance with universally recognized norms of international law guaranteeing a rational and fair distribution of water resources, and ensuring the interests of all states in the region.
Third. In order to ensure peace and security at the regional and global levels, the problem of forming and promoting the ideology of tolerance, mutual understanding and cultural diversity has acquired special urgency.
Uzbekistan for centuries has been one of the centers of enlightened Islam. The state crusaded for strengthening in the minds of people of such eternal values as the pursuit of goodness and peace and tolerance in interethnic and interreligious relations, mutual respect and harmony among people, regardless of skin color and beliefs.
Our country believes that the fight against terrorism should not be transformed into Islamophobia and take shape of clear or hidden standoff with the Islamic world. Questions of promotion of tolerance, mutual understanding and respect between different cultures and religions, problems of social integration should be a priority in the humanitarian “basket” of OSCE.
