A/RES/57/298 GA

United Nations A/RES/57/298 General Assembly Distr.: General 6 February 2003 Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 22 (l) 02 56117 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [without reference to a Main Committee (A/57/L.72 and Add.1 and A/57/L.73)] 57/298. Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe The General Assembly, Recalling the framework for cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was signed on 26 May 1993,1 as well as its resolutions on cooperation between the two organizations, Recalling also the principles embodied in the Helsinki Final Act and in the declaration at the 1992 Helsinki Summit by the heads of State or Government of the participating States of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe of their understanding that the Conference is a regional arrangement in the sense of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and as such provides an important link between European and global security,2 Acknowledging the increasing contribution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security in its region through activities in early warning and preventive diplomacy, including through the activities of the High Commissioner on National Minorities, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, as well as arms control and disarmament, Recalling the Charter for European Security adopted at the Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, in November 1999, which reaffirms the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as a primary organization for the peaceful settlement of disputes within its region and as a key instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, Recalling also the special ties between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation, as well as between that organization and the Asian Partners for Cooperation, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, which have been enhanced further in 2002, _______________ 1 A/48/185, annex II, appendix. 2 See A/47/361-S/24370, annex. A/RES/57/298 2 Underlining the continued importance of enhanced cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General;3 2. Commends the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for the relevant decisions and declarations adopted by the Tenth Ministerial Council at its meeting in Porto, Portugal, on 6 and 7 December 2002, in particular its Charter on Preventing and Combating Terrorism, which reaffirms the core lasting and timeless principles guiding the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in this field, the decision on implementing the organization’s commitments and activities on combating terrorism, the Porto Ministerial Declaration, entitled “Responding to Change”, which underlines the role of the organization in the evolving international security environment, its decision on the development of a strategy to address threats to security and stability in the twenty-first century, the decision on an annual security review conference, the Declaration on Trafficking in Human Beings, the decision on tolerance and non-discrimination, the decision on electoral standards, the decision on enhancing the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in economic and environmental dimensions, the decision on reviewing the role of the organization in the field of peacekeeping operations and the statements by the Ministerial Council on regional issues; 3. Notes with appreciation the further improvement of cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and its agencies and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, including at the level of activities in the field; 4. Welcomes, in that context, the meetings of the Secretary-General of the United Nations with the Chairman-in-Office and the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of the President of the United Nations Security Council with the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the participation of high-level United Nations representatives in meetings of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; 5. Praises the close cooperation between the institutions of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in particular the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Representative on Freedom of the Media and the relevant United Nations bodies, welcomes in this regard the active participation of high-level representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Development Programme and the Office on Drugs and Crime4 of the Secretariat in its annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, which paved the way for the documents adopted at the Tenth Ministerial Council in that field, and also welcomes the contribution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Economic Commission for Europe and the United Nations Environment Programme to the 2002 Economic Forum of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; _______________ 3 A/57/217. 4 Formerly known as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. A/RES/57/298 3 6. Encourages further efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to foster security and stability in its region through early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, as well as through continued promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and arms control and confidence- and security-building measures; 7. Welcomes the efforts undertaken to promote in operational terms the concept of the Platform for Cooperative Security, adopted at the Summit in Istanbul in 1999, and encourages the continued development of modalities of cooperation between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other international and regional organizations and institutions; 8. Commends the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on the implementation of its Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism5 and of the Programme of Action adopted at the Bishkek International Conference on enhancing security and stability in Central Asia, held on 13 and 14 December 2001, whereby participating States pledged to reinforce and develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation among themselves, with the United Nations and with other international and regional organizations in order to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, welcomes the reports presented by the Secretary- General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the Tenth Ministerial Council and to the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations on the activities of that organization to prevent and combat terrorism, encourages further enhancement of their cooperation in providing assistance to participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in implementing their international obligations in this field, and welcomes in that respect the convening, at the initiative of the Portuguese Chairmanship, of the High-Level Conference on Preventing and Combating Terrorism, held in Lisbon on 12 June 2002, which, in full recognition of the leading role of the United Nations in countering terrorism, sought to enhance cooperation among the various organizations involved; 9. Notes the continued process of reviewing the management and the working procedures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe undertaken at the initiative of the Romanian chairmanship in 2001 and continued under the Portuguese chairmanship in 2002 with the goal of strengthening its efficiency on issues of security and cooperation in Europe and in countering threats and challenges to security and stability in its region; 10. Acknowledges the progress made in implementing the decisions to strengthen the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as a political forum, namely through a balanced approach in its three dimensions, and takes note in this respect of enhanced cooperation in the economic and environmental dimensions, welcoming in particular the recommendations of the 2002 Economic Forum on cooperation for the sustainable use and the protection of the quality of water and the recommendations of the seminar held in Paris on the socio-economic impact of disarmament; 11. Commends the adoption of new modalities for the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and welcomes the continued close cooperation between the _______________ 5 See Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe document MC(9).DEC/1, annex. A/RES/57/298 4 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the Office on Drugs and Crime; 12. Praises the work done by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to develop its capacity to assist participating States wishing to strengthen their policing skills; 13. Welcomes the efforts by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to broaden dialogue with partners outside its area, such as the Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation and Asian Partners for Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the League of Arab States, the African Union and those States bordering on the area of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and to exchange best practices and lessons learned in counter-terrorism efforts for application in its area; 14. Notes with appreciation the active involvement of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and its commitment to continue to contribute substantially to early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in the region, thereby fostering peace and stability in the area; 15. Commends the work of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and of the authorities of that country to promote legislative reform and institution- and capacity-building, and notes with satisfaction their commitment to facilitate the consolidation of democracy, the strengthening of the rule of law, through in particular the training of a multi-ethnic police element in South Serbia, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the process of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons in the region; 16. Expresses its appreciation for the contribution by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to implementing Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, as an essential part of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo, in particular for its substantial role in the preparation and organization of the Kosovo local election of 26 October 2002, in view of the consolidation of stability and prosperity in Kosovo on the basis of substantial autonomy, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, pending a final settlement in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999), as well as for its continued commitment to training a multi-ethnic, community-based Kosovo police service, building democratic institutions and promoting human rights; 17. Welcomes the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to contribute to the implementation of the Framework Agreement concerning the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, concluded on 13 August 2001, in particular through its programmes of training and reform of the police forces, confidence-building and inter-ethnic relations, and commends the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for its contribution to the holding of peaceful and democratic elections on 15 September 2002; 18. Commends the work of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to Bosnia and Herzegovina in accomplishing the transition in A/RES/57/298 5 the administration and conduct of the election process to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in compliance with the Dayton/Paris peace accords,6 and for the support given to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the preparation and conduct of general elections on 5 October 2002, which were held largely in line with international standards for democratic elections, as well as for its continued substantive support to the Property Law Implementation Plan process, which is due to be completed by 2003; 19. Underlines the importance of regional cooperation as a means of fostering good-neighbourly relations, stability and economic development, welcomes the implementation of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as an important long-term and comprehensive initiative to promote good-neighbourly relations, stability and economic development, and welcomes the commitment of participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to contribute further to the goals of the Stability Pact; 20. Expresses its deep concern that in spite of the efforts undertaken by the Republic of Moldova and the mediators of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, no progress was achieved in 2002 towards negotiation of a comprehensive political settlement of the Transdniestrian problem, based on full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, regrets that, notwithstanding all these efforts, the Transdniestrian side continues to obstruct the negotiation process, welcomes the efforts made by the Russian Federation to fulfil its commitments undertaken at the summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe held in Istanbul in 1999, and also welcomes the commitment of the Russian Federation to complete the withdrawal of Russian forces as early as possible and its intention to do so by 31 December 2003, provided necessary conditions are in place; 21. Supports the efforts of the Portuguese chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Government of Belarus to find a mutually acceptable decision regarding the field presence in Belarus of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; 22. Welcomes the activities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to promote the peace process in the Tshkhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia, namely the results achieved in the meeting at Castelo Branco, Portugal, and the steps to reduce the quantities of small arms and light weapons in that region, as well as the work of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to Georgia in facilitating a number of projects aimed at involving the local community in that process, and, in accordance with the commitments made at the Istanbul summit, supports the desire of the parties to complete negotiations regarding the duration and modalities of the functioning of the Russian military bases at Batumi and Alkhalkalaki and other Russian military facilities within the territory of Georgia, and takes note of the transparent visit of the military experts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the Gudauta base in Abkhazia, Georgia, which was a milestone on the way to a speedy and legal transfer of the Gudauta facilities; _______________ 6 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the annexes thereto, initialled in Dayton, United States of America, on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 (A/50/790-S/1995/999). A/RES/57/298 6 23. Appreciates the cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in bringing forward a peaceful solution of the conflict in Abkhazia, in particular the active participation of the representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the negotiations led by the United Nations, but regrets that no substantial progress has been noted in overcoming the precarious stalemate that remains on the core issue of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, the future status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia, and welcomes the readiness of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to further its projects in Abkhazia in the human dimension; 24. Commends the work of the border monitoring operation of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to Georgia along the border between Georgia and the Chechen and Ingushet Republics of the Russian Federation as a significant contribution to stability and confidence in the region; 25. Notes with satisfaction the increased efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to promote cooperation with the five participating States of Central Asia, as well as regional cooperation among these States, in all dimensions of security, in particular in the fight against terrorism, as well as in the sphere of economic and environmental issues, encourages continued close cooperation between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations and other international actors in this region, and welcomes the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to promote implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at the Bishkek International Conference on enhancing security and stability in Central Asia, held under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention of the Secretariat, including the holding of a regional expert meeting on combating trafficking in small arms and light weapons in Central Asia, as well as the readiness of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to assist in addressing specific issues related to the process of democratic reform, institution building and the reform of the law enforcement agencies in the five participating States in Central Asia; 26. Fully supports the activities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict in and around the Nagorny-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and welcomes cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in this regard; 27. Remains deeply concerned at the failure to achieve a settlement of the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict despite the intensified dialogue between the parties and the active support of the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, reaffirms that the prompt resolution of that protracted conflict will contribute to lasting peace, security, stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus region, reiterates the importance of continuing the peace dialogue, calls upon the sides to continue their efforts to achieve an early resolution of the conflict based on norms and principles of international law, encourages the parties to explore further measures that would enhance mutual confidence and trust, welcomes the commitment of the parties to the ceasefire and to achieving a peaceful and comprehensive settlement, also welcomes in particular the continued meetings of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and of their special representatives, and encourages the parties to continue their efforts, with the active support of the Co-Chairmen, aimed at reaching a just and enduring settlement; A/RES/57/298 7 28. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session the sub-item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe”, and requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session a report on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in implementation of the present resolution. 79th plenary meeting 20 December 2002

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