Strengthening Regional Co-operation on SGG/R

Promoting the Understanding that Regional Co-operation on SSG/R Can Be Cost-Effective

Investing in enhancing regional co-operation on SSG/R between participating States may have a long-term impact that will offset potential initial costs in terms of resources or time necessary to build mutual trust. It is important to recognize that regional co-operation on SSG/R can be cost-effective despite a certain initial investment required at the beginning. It can therefore be beneficial for the OSCE to work with existing structures and mechanisms facilitating regional co-operation in order to strengthen their capacities and thus increase the long-term sustainability of support for reform efforts in the region. Moreover, in some cases, there may be cost benefits if expenses or resources for implementing SSG/R activities are pooled. Finally, the OSCE should raise awareness of the fact that, from a national perspective, it may be often more cost-effective to tackle common challenges, such as transnational organized crime or trafficking in human beings through regional co-operation.