 After independence, nation takes a chair at the international table
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-26 08:03
As chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, Kazakhstan is preparing to work within the so-called Ministerial Troika in 2009-2011, an OSCE mechanism that includes previous, current and future chairman countries. Kazakhstan pays special attention to its OSCE chairmanship agenda. In 2010 it will focus on OSCE's long-standing commitments to democracy building, human rights and continuing conflicts. Meanwhile, contributing innovative ideas based on its own experience in the fields of security, energy and economy will also be listed as a priority during its chairmanship. Security dimension Kazakhstan intends to incorporate its experience to the organization and enhance international laws to strengthen religious and ethnic tolerance in OSCE's zone of responsibility. The issue of Kosovo's independence may prompt a thaw in so-called "frozen conflicts" in the Caucasus and other European regions, according to the Kazakhstan government. Kazakhstan's initiative to hold the ministerial forum "One Common World: Progress Through Diversity" in October and the third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2009 as well as Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin's commitments at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in March to work for close cooperation between OIC and OSCE are good examples of the country's consistency in strengthening inter-religious and inter-ethnic dialog at all levels. The idea of holding the ministerial forum was first discussed at the meeting between Kazakhstan and US presidents in September 2006. The presidents referred then to the initiative as between "the group of moderate states". Energy security Kazakhstan will support the EU energy security agenda and simultaneously strengthen alternative energy cooperation with the union. Such a policy completely correlates with the US policy on energy security with the focus on alternative energy and development of clean technologies, including the Clean-Technology Fund initiated by US President George W. Bush. Economic field Kazakhstan intends to make a significant contribution, including social-economic and humanitarian assistance, as well as investments in the OSCE member countries - Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and others. Promoting systemic market reforms, enhancing healthy financial systems and markets, good governance, transparency, anti-corruption efforts will constitute the core of Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship economic vision for the region East of Vienna. Regional economic and political integration will be another top priority for Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship. Afghanistan and strengthening security in central Asia will become one of the most important priorities of Kazakhstan's efforts in all OSCE dimensions. Kazakhstan is the only central Asian country to adopt a governmental plan on assistance to Afghanistan. According to the plan, Kazakhstan will construct a motorway, build a school and a hospital, as well as supply agricultural stock to the nation. The plan's budget is $3 million for 2008. Afghanistan has become one of Kazakhstan's national security priorities. Kazakhstan's Security Council held a special meeting on Afghanistan matters in January seeking to enhance cooperation in trade, mineral sector, international auto and air communication and mutual protection of investments. (China Daily 12/26/2008 page20) |
