Sophia, 27th June 2002
Speech by H.E. Paulo Tiago da Silva Ambassador of
Portugal in Sophia
(Opening Remarks)
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is an honour for me to be here today and address
you on behalf of the OSCE Chairman in Office.
Terrorism has long since been a major internal and
international security concern. The terrorist attacks in the United
States last September demonstrated once again the appalling nature
and devastating consequences of terrorist activities and actions.
No cause in the world can justify the resort to terrorist
actions.
Due to its intricate nature and global dimension,
combating terrorism cannot be undertaken successfully at the level
of a single state or organisation. The complex and global nature of
terrorism demands a co-ordinated response and approach among all
nations and organisations.
In accordance with the Platform for Co-operative
Security, adopted at the 1999 Istanbul Summit, the OSCE believes
that co-operation with other organisations and institutions must be
an essential part in the planning and undertaking of the
Organisation's activities in preventing and combating international
terrorism.
(OSCE initiatives)
As others dud in reaction to September 11, the OSCE
also saw the need to update its instruments and commitments in the
fight against terrorism. To this end, the OSCE adopted the
Bucharest Plan of Action. In Bishkek, a central Asia-oriented
Programme of Action was endorsed as a response to specific
sub-regional problems.
Both the Plan and the Programme specify a variety of
anti-terrorist measures to be adopted by participating States and
by the organisation as a whole. A Senior Police Advisor has been
appointed and an Action Against Terrorism Unit has been set up in
the Secretariat.
(Chairmanship Initiatives)
On the part of the Portuguese Chairmanship, the
fight against Terrorism was soon identified as a key priority of
its tenure. In line with this priority, the Chairmanship appointed
a Personal Representative for Preventing and Combating Terrorism,
Mr. Jan Troejborg, who unfortunately could not be present today.
Mr. Troejborg has been working together with the OSCE Secretariat
in driving forward the implementation of the Bucharest Plan of
Action and of the Bishkek Programme of Action.
Essentially, we have agreed to concentrate OSCE
programmes on The following areas: border control, policing,
anti-trafficking (drugs, small arms) and combating organised
crime.
Acknowledging that the actions and initiatives of
the OSCE in the fight against terrorism will only produce
sustainable results if developed within a larger and over-arching
framework, the Portuguese Chairmanship firmly believes that
co-ordination, co-operation and the development of greater
synergies amongst the various organisations and institutions is
essential if we are to make preventing and combating terrorism a
success.
In this light, the Chairmanship organised a High
Level Meeting in Lisbon on the Prevention and Combat of Terrorism
which took place on the 12th June. This meeting was organised in
the spirit of the Platform for Cooperative Security and in
recognition of the leading role of the United Nations.
The main objective of the discussions was that of
enhancing and improving co-ordination and information-sharing in
the fight against terrorism, highlighting the need to make the best
possible use of comparative advantages.
There was agreement on the need for appropriate
follow-up to the meeting. Portugal has offered to host a second
meeting in the same format next year. On the 6th September, the
OSCE Secretary General will be chairing a meeting dedicated to
sub-regional co-operation in the prevention and combat of
terrorism.
The Chairmanship has also started to work on the
proposal for a Charter for Preventing and Combating Terrorism to be
adopted at our Ministerial meeting in December. This Charter is
intended to be a political document that reaffirms the OSCE support
and contribution to the United Nations' led international efforts
against terrorism, underlining the OSCE principles and objectives
in the prevention and combat of terrorism. The Charter will build
upon the work of the OSCE under the Bucharest Plan of Action and
the Bishkek Programme of Action.
(Closing remarks)
We are all fully committed to combating terrorism.
Immediate actions and results are vital, however their success and
sustainability will require a long term and integrated strategy.
Therefore, preventive measures must be a key aspect of any
anti-terrorism policy and strategy, and me consolidation of
democracy a starting point.
We believe that the OSCE has a valuable contribution
to make. Based on its comprehensive approach to security and on its
broad membership the OSCE can play an important role through its
three articulated dimensions, its institutions and field
missions.
Thank you
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