( OSCE ) - OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut praised Tajikistan as an example of successful post-conflict rehabilitation during a visit to Dushanbe for talks and to participate in a conference commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Tajik Peace Agreement.
"Since the conclusion of the peace process in 2000, Tajikistan has successfully entered a new era, and today serves as a model for other conflict-ridden countries," the Secretary General said. "This country has done more than end a conflict and conclude a peace process: it has established a sustainable peace.
"In the name of the OSCE, I wish to congratulate Tajikistan and its people for this."
The conference was organized by the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peace-Building and the Government of Tajikistan. The 10th anniversary of the agreement was marked on 27 June.
Perrin de Brichambaut, who departs Tajikistan today, also met President Emomali Rahmon, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi and other Tajik officials.
During the meetings, matters such as the OSCE's support for border management and security were discussed, including plans to establish an OSCE regional border management centre in Central Asia, to be based in Dushanbe. Regional water management was also discussed.
The Secretary General also discussed the possibility of increasing OSCE activities in the country, particularly in the economic and environmental field.
The four-day visit also included a visit to the Tajik-Afghan border as part of preparations for border-management and security assistance the OSCE will provide to Tajikistan.