Final Communique of THE SENIOR OFFICIALS COMMITTEE

of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia

Senior Officials Committee (SOC) of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) met in Almaty on October 17, 2007 to review the developments since the last meeting held in Bangkok on March 14, 2007 and to consider recommendations made by the Special Working Group in its meetings of July 17-18, 2007 and October 15-16, 2007. The meeting assumed special significance because it coincided with the 15^th Anniversary celebrations of the CICA process – a very important landmark in the development of CICA.

SOC noted with satisfaction that considerable progress had been made since President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed convening CICA fifteen years ago. Member States reaffirmed their commitment to take the CICA process further and make it a successful forum to address the issues of peace and security in Asia.

SOC invites the Member States to continue to render assistance in combating terrorism, opium production and drug-trafficking as well as for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and extend political support for ensuring peace and security and normalization of life in the country.

The first years of the CICA were devoted to setting up of the conceptual principles, legal framework and administrative procedures. CICA process has now moved to the next stage of its development which involves realization of the Confidence Building Measures contained in the CICA Catalogue of CBMs, in accordance with principles of the Cooperative Approach for the implementation of the CICA CBMs. It is a matter of satisfaction that the draft Concept Paper and Action Plan for implementation of the CICA CBMs in Human Dimension, submitted by Kazakhstan, has been adopted. Seven Member States, namely, Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkey, who had earlier volunteered to act as coordinating countries, made presentations for implementing specific CBMs. India offered to act as co-coordinator with the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Azerbaijan for the implementation of CBMs in the fields of energy security cooperation and cooperation for the development of secure and effective systems of transportation corridors respectively. Israel offered to share its expertise in the fields of water management, advance agriculture, hi-tech development, disaster and crisis management and indicated its readiness to hold workshops in one or more in these fields. Other Member States are invited to act as coordinators for implementation of CBMs in remaining areas.

The importance of establishing links between CICA and other international and regional organizations was recognized in the Guidelines for CICA’s External Relations. It was agreed that, to begin with, CICA may establish links with Economic Cooperation Organization, Eurasian Economic Community, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Later on CICA could develop relationship and cooperation with other international and regional organizations and fora, including ACD. With this in view the CICA will explore the possibility of holding a conference of all Asian organizations and fora.

In order to ensure effective functioning of the CICA Secretariat, SOC discussed draft Convention on Legal Capacity of the CICA Secretariat, its personnel and their privileges and immunities with a view to adopt it on early date. Draft Convention will be submitted to the third CICA Ministerial Meeting for final approval.

It was noted that apart from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Israel, Republic of Korea and Turkey have made voluntary contributions to the budget of the CICA Secretariat for the year 2007. China and the Islamic Republic of Iran are considering to make voluntary contribution. It is hoped that other Member States will also come forward with voluntary contributions.

It was also noted that India, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkey have seconded personnel for the Secretariat. Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Islamic Republic of Iran have nominated officers for the vacant posts of the professional personnel in the Secretariat. It is hoped that other Member States will also nominate personnel to the Secretariat.

It was appreciated that the Kingdom of Thailand was the first Member State other than the Republic of Kazakhstan to host meetings of SWG and SOC in Bangkok in March this year and the Republic of Korea has offered to host the meetings of SWG and SOC in Seoul in the second quarter of 2008. India also offered to host the SWG/SOC Meetings. Dates in this regard will be discussed with the CICA Secretariat. It is hoped that other Member States will also come forward to host CICA meetings in future.