on OSCE Assistance Projects in the Field of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition, 5. Further welcoming the priorities for the Austrian 2017 OSCE Chairmanship to reduce threats by defusing existing conflicts, combating radicalization and violent extremism, and re-establishing trust and confidence, 6. Recalling the international commitments of OSCE participating States to reduce the risk of conflict, pursue dialogue and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, notably obligations found in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act on refraining from the threat or use of force, respecting the inviolability of frontiers and the territorial integrity of States, and principles of non-intervention in internal affairs, 7. Concerned over troop and artillery movements and military build-ups that have taken place in the OSCE area over the past year, 8. Noting with concern the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, which is taking a heavy toll on the population and providing new opportunities for extremist groups, 9. Noting that transfers of major weapons systems globally have reached their highest volume since the end of the Cold War and that four of the top five global arms exporters – the United States, the Russian Federation, France and Germany – are OSCE participating States, 10. Stressing the need for enhanced efforts to settle protracted conflicts in the OSCE area in a peaceful and negotiated manner, refraining from the threat or use of force and respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries involved, within their internationally recognized borders, in full respect of the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act, 11. Noting with concern the renewal of hostilities in the South Caucasus, notably the recent violations of the ceasefire on the Line of Contact in the territories around NagornoKarabakh, and the ongoing ceasefire violations in the Donbas region of Ukraine, which have led to heavy losses of human lives, including civilians, 12. Regretting the lack of progress towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia based on the norms and principles of international law, and expressing concern over the humanitarian and security situation in occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia, 13. Condemning the 15 July coup attempt in Turkey, and expressing solidarity with Turkey and its people in the aftermath of the attempted seizure of power, 14. Noting that, according to the international observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Turkish referendum of 16 April 2017 fell short of international standards for a fair election, 15. Noting the substantial progress made in the Western Balkans over the past decade, but expressing concern about the recently deteriorating political situation in the region, 2