Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec. 2 / Trend A. Maratov /
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called on the OSCE summit participants in Astana today to show unity and to express their opinions clearly in the formation of a final document.
"Our fellow citizens expect us to leave aside our differences and to strive to overcome all obstacles because we are dealing with the stability of a large region, which includes 56 countries," he said.
Berlusconi added that presidents participating in the summit must leave Astana with an agreed action plan containing tasks to establish peace and security and protect human rights.
The summit participants began to discuss a final declaration after listening to the speeches made by the presidents attending the summit.
As the OSCE is an advisory body, the only way to discuss pressing issues are to meet at such summits. Over the years, global security and threats have significantly changed, and the summit will enable the OSCE to discuss the current situation.
Security in the OSCE is one of the main topics on the summit agenda. The summit is also an outstanding event in Kazakhstan's political life since gaining independence.
The summit is held in Astana on Dec. 1-2 and will bring together presidents and prime ministers from 56 OSCE member countries and 12 OSCE partner countries, as well as the heads of 68 international organizations.
The summit has been held six times since the organization's inception in 1975. The last was held in Istanbul in 1999.