Topical issues concerning the OSCE and the EU topped FM Dimitrij Rupel's meeting with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer in Berlin on 18 February. According to Rupel, the talks with Fischer have been some of the most fruitful he has held since assuming the OSCE chairmanship.
"Germany and Slovenia have similar views on the main issues facing the OSCE and the EU," he said after the meeting. The two countries will be in close contact regarding these issues, which could greatly improve the chances for success, he said. "We must succeed, both as regards the problems in SE Europe and the problems in other OSCE regions, in Central Asia and the Caucasus, where things are most complicated." In regards to the EU, the two countries are discussing ways to maximise the success of the first EU presiding troika that will assume the job in 2007. The pair also spoke about Croatia's bid to join the EU.
Rupel also travelled to Kazakhstan (15 Feb), where he stressed that there were some problems regarding Kazakhstan meeting the OSCE democratic standards. Rupel mentioned the problem of recent prohibition of an opposition party, the new law on extremism, media legislation and the negative OSCE evaluation of the last year's Kazakhstan general election. He said he highlighted the importance of a strong opposition in his meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Askar Shakirov, Speaker Ural Muhamedjanov and Senate Chairman Nurtaj Abikajev. In Uzbekistan (16 Feb) he called on the authorities to boost cooperation with OSCE institutions. The organisation's task is not to give instructions, but to help when this is desired and needed. According to Rupel, the OSCE is willing to help Uzbekistan with the development of small and medium-sized companies, attracting foreign investment and increasing the country's prosperity.
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