Individual nations have been important partners in helping Afghan people rebuild their country - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

ASTANA. December 1. KAZINFORM /Maria Peshkova/ "Regional crises and transnational dangers threaten our people, democracies are under pressure and protracted conflicts remain dangerously unresolved", U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said speaking at the OSCE Summit in Astana on December 1.

"Therefore we meet at a time when the OSCE which was designed to tackle multidimensional challenges can only be effective if participating states back its institutions and missions with political will. That is why we are seeking not only a strong document that reaffirms our commitment to Helsinki's founding ideals and their implementation, but also a forward looking framework for action that translates Helsinki principles into concrete steps to advance security in all its dimensions", Mrs. Clinton noted.

The U.S. Secretary of State outlined the OSCE Summit priorities. One of them is an increased role supporting our mutual interest in Afghanistan. "I thank the leaders at this table who have recognized that instability in Afghanistan is dangerous not only for Central Asia, but for the OSCE region as a whole. Individual nations have been important partners in helping the Afghan people rebuild their country and pursue comprehensive security."

According to her, the OSCE should play a greater role. "OSCE participating states have 12 hundred miles of borders with Afghanistan. And we should expect OSCE efforts to improve border security, counter elicit trafficking, boost legitimate trade and promote economic development", she said.