The Republic of Kazakhstan’s Programme

for its Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010

The Chairmanship’s motto – Trust, Traditions, Transparency and Tolerance

For the first time in the history of the OSCE the country chairing the Organization is a Central Asian State of the former Soviet Union. For the OSCE, an organization established during the Cold War period, this decision is of great historic importance and demonstrates the effectiveness of the principle of equality.

            Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship is objective proof of the country’s successes during its 18 years of independence in building an economically powerful and dynamically developing democratic State. The decision of the OSCE participating States in favour of Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship demonstrates the desire of the Organization itself to modernize and adapt to the present‑day realities.

            Kazakhstan is taking the helm of the OSCE at a very difficult time. The systemic challenges brought about by the global financial and economic crisis, the erosion of the regime for the non‑proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, humanitarian and environmental disasters, famine, poverty, epidemics, depletion of energy resources, inter‑ethnic and interreligious conflicts – this is by no means a complete list of the challenges facing modern civilization and requiring maximum effort on the part of multilateral institutions like the OSCE.

            The most important task of the Kazakh Chairmanship therefore is to strengthen the Organization and help to increase its effectiveness and its ability to respond appropriately to the threats and challenges of the modern age.

            One of the key issues for the OSCE’s development is to expand the basis for consensus on fundamental questions on the Organization’s agenda, to overcome dividing lines in the OSCE area, to strengthen mutual respect and to ensure the equal participation of all countries in the work of the OSCE.

            In keeping with this goal, Kazakhstan will be guided by the interests of all participating States without exception and will adhere to the principles of impartiality, a balanced approach and neutrality – all of these being the characteristics of an honest broker. We shall ensure that our work is balanced, paying equal attention to all three dimensions.

            We have chosen as our Chairmanship’s motto the four Ts – Trust, Traditions, Transparency and Tolerance – for they symbolize all that Kazakhstan identifies with the Chairmanship.

            The first T stands for our trust in one another. The second one refers to our commitment to the fundamental principles and values of the OSCE. The third one conveys maximum openness and transparency in international relations, free of double standards and dividing lines, and a focus on constructive co‑operation in order to address threats and challenges to security. The fourth one reflects the global trends towards a strengthening of dialogue between cultures and civilizations, which is gaining ever greater importance in today’s world.

            In setting the priorities for its Chairmanship, Kazakhstan has endeavoured to take into account the interests of all OSCE participating States, the results of the work of previous Chairmanships and the outcome of the Ministerial Council meeting in Athens.

            As the holder of the Chairmanship of the OSCE, Kazakhstan will firmly adhere to the fundamental principles and values of the Organization and will do all it can to strengthen the effectiveness and authority of the OSCE.

Regional issues

            Helping to resolve “protracted” conflicts will remain an important item on the OSCE’s agenda this year. In the area of conflict resolution Kazakhstan will firmly adhere to the principle of continuity, focusing on the promotion of constructive dialogue among the parties to the conflict, the non‑use of military force and the search for a possible consensus.

            Today, there is an urgent need for more than just a policy of post‑conflict response in the OSCE area. The identification of potential conflicts with a view to preventing them and efforts to hinder those phenomena that lead to tragedy are of paramount importance here. There needs to be greater monitoring of trends that are likely to lead to violence and humanitarian disaster.

            Kazakhstan is committed to the Minsk Process and supports the efforts of the Co‑Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Chairman‑in‑Office has extended the mandate of Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, his Personal Representative for a settlement of the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict.

            As the holder of the post of OSCE Chairman‑in‑Office, Kazakhstan will contribute to the work of the Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus. Great importance will be given to work on the incident prevention and response mechanisms and to resolving humanitarian issues with a view to ensuring a normal life for the local population. The return of OSCE observers to the region remains a matter of importance.

            As for a settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict, Kazakhstan will work towards a resumption of the 5+2 talks, promoting political dialogue and supporting any positive developments in the negotiation process.

            The Kazakh Chairmanship will pay particular attention to South‑Eastern Europe. It is essential that the field operations in the region continue to support the host countries in the identification of potential conflicts with a view to preventing them, in the promotion of democratization, the rule of law and human rights, in the strengthening of democratic institutions and in the development of civil society.

            The Central Asian region will be a particular focus for the Kazakh Chairmanship. We intend to exploit the OSCE’s potential for the development of regional co‑operation to counter new threats and challenges to security, and for resolving environmental problems and expanding co‑operation in the transport sector.

The politico‑military dimension and non‑military aspects of security

            In keeping with the decisions adopted at the 17th Ministerial Council meeting in Athens, Kazakhstan will work in 2010 to continue the Corfu Process and to engage in a structured and goal‑oriented dialogue on the future of European security. To this end, the Chairmanship has drawn up a conceptual framework and plan of work for the first six months of 2010, aimed at moving from consultations on individual questions to substantive negotiations.

            The Chairperson of the Forum for Security Co‑operation (FSC), the OSCE Troika and the ambassadors chairing the specialized committees on the three OSCE dimensions are to be actively involved in assisting the Chairmanship in the Corfu discussions at eight meetings.

            It would be useful in the forthcoming discussions to consider the proposal by the Russian Federation on the drawing up of a Treaty on European Security.

            It is extremely important to preserve the conventional arms control regime and to resume constructive dialogue with a view to finding a way out of the crisis situation surrounding the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty). Kazakhstan believes that the outcome of a dialogue of this kind should be the entry into force of the Agreement on Adaptation of the CFE Treaty. We are in favour of the active involvement of the Joint Consultative Group in this process, for it surely has serious expert potential and is capable of making a significant contribution to the process of reaching an agreement on the joint American-Russian package solution.

            Kazakhstan advocates the strengthening of the role of the Forum for Security Co‑operation in the consideration and resolution of pressing issues of a politico‑military nature. A number of important documents concerned with the work of the FSC were adopted in Athens. The Kazakh Chairmanship is ready for close co‑operation with the FSC Chairmanships and Troika and will continue the practice of holding joint meetings of the Forum and the Permanent Council.

            The Chairmanship is pleased that the participating States have acknowledged the need for an updating of the Vienna Document 1999.

            The OSCE’s contribution to international efforts in the area of small arms and light weapons (SALW) deserves high praise. This year will mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which has become a framework for co‑operation in this field. Kazakhstan intends to support the holding of OSCE events on SALW and surplus ammunition.

            Kazakhstan, which has made a significant and universally recognized contribution to the worldwide process of non‑proliferation, sees added value in the OSCE’s work in the non‑proliferation field in support of the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1540, and is ready to promote dialogue on further joint measures by participating States in this area.

            Among Kazakhstan’s priorities regarding the non‑military aspects of security, particular attention will be paid to the new challenges of the modern age and to improving the relevant mechanisms, making it possible to achieve a qualitatively new level of participation in collective efforts by the international community to combat terrorism, religious extremism, organized crime and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs.

            In view of the experience of previous Chairmanships, Kazakhstan intends to co‑operate closely with the Action against Terrorism Unit, the Strategic Police Matters Unit and the Borders Section of the Conflict Prevention Centre. We will support specific projects as a donor and assist in the holding of thematic seminars. The Conference on the Prevention of Terrorism to be held in Astana will be the main event in this area.

            Today the concept of European security includes not only the traditional Europe and Euro‑Atlantic ties but also the vast expanse of Eurasia. Kazakhstan therefore intends to take the Central Asian perspective into account when discussing major issues of European security and to pay heightened attention to the needs of that part of the OSCE region, including the Afghanistan problem.

            Kazakhstan views the development of the situation in that country from the point of view of global security and the fight against religious extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking. At the same time, there is a need to change the focus of the efforts to combat these challenges of the modern age, switching the focus from military and police‑based methods to the elimination of the sources of those challenges. Helping the Afghan people to transform their society from one of armed confrontation into something productive is one of the principal goals of the work of the OSCE and the international coalition.

            In addition to Kazakhstan’s education programme, which is providing 50 million US dollars for the vocational training of a thousand Afghan citizens at Kazakh universities, the Chairmanship will continue to focus attention on the implementation and co‑sponsoring of projects to strengthen Afghanistan’s borders with Central Asian countries, develop cross‑border co‑operation and enhance law enforcement activities, not to mention other areas within the OSCE’s field of expertise.

The economic and environmental dimension

            The theme of the 18th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in 2010 is “Promoting good governance at border crossings, improving the security of land transportation and facilitating international transport by road and rail in the OSCE region”. Astana hosted the first preparatory conference for the Forum on 12 and 13 October 2009. The first part of the Forum will take place on 1 and 2 February of this year in Vienna, the second preparatory conference on 15 and 16 March in Minsk, and the concluding second part of the Economic and Environmental Forum will be held in Prague from 24 to 26 May of this year.

            The theme was selected in line with the efforts being made to ensure continuity and consistency in the OSCE’s work in the economic and environmental dimension. The theme includes various subtopics combining existing approaches of interest to OSCE States: best practices in border crossing management; harmonization of national laws and regulations with a view to combating corruption, illegal migration and terrorism; development of public‑private partnerships; facilitation of trade and customs procedures; development of international transport infrastructure and transport and trade flows; combating illicit trafficking in human beings, weapons and drugs; security of container shipments; environmental security (transport of hazardous goods); introduction of new technologies. New trends and challenges along with achievements and experience gained in this area are also to be examined.

            Development of the transport sector should serve as part of a fundamental platform for overcoming differences in the levels of development of the OSCE countries. As we emerge from the global crisis, this topic will be extremely relevant and useful, especially in view of the fact that this problem area has not received proper consideration within the OSCE.

            The Third Astana Economic Forum, which will be held in July of this year on the theme of “Crisis Lessons and Post‑Crisis Model of Economic Development in Globalization Conditions”, should provide an additional impetus to discussions in this area.

            Another important area of work in the second dimension is environmental security. Issues in this sphere are particularly pressing for all the OSCE participating States.

            Kazakhstan believes it important to draw attention to the problem of the Aral Sea because this is an environmental disaster that affects not only the counties of Central Asia but also has a proven negative impact on European countries.

            The OSCE could make its contribution by ensuring constant political dialogue on this problem and by implementing specific projects that bring added value to the practical efforts of the international community and the counties of the region. Over the long term it is important to create a comprehensive system for monitoring and responding to environmental threats in the region, inter alia by making use of the forum provided by the OSCE for the elaboration of common approaches.

            Activities to address the Aral Sea challenge may serve as a model for resolving similar problems in the Organization’s area of responsibility. In this context, the Chairmanship’s efforts will also be geared towards close co‑operation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

            As part of our desire to raise the profile of the “second basket”, we have established two new posts of Personal Representatives of the Chairman‑in‑Office for transport and environmental issues.

            We must continue to pay attention to migration issues and to ensuring energy security in line with the decisions adopted at the Ministerial Council meeting in Athens.

The human dimension

            The human dimension remains a key item on our Chairmanship’s agenda. Kazakhstan will continue to support the work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Representative on Freedom of the Media.

            Human rights and fundamental freedoms will remain a focus of the Chairmanship’s attention. Given our positive experience in building a society based on inter-ethnic and interconfessional harmony, Kazakhstan will place particular emphasis on promoting tolerance and intercultural dialogue as a most pressing issue within the OSCE area.

The High-Level OSCE Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination to be held in Astana on 29 and 30 June of this year should make an important contribution to the discussion of co‑operation among different cultures and religions and the practical implementation of decisions adopted earlier. The three Personal Representatives of the Chairman-in-Office for tolerance and non-discrimination will also be actively involved in the preparatory and substantive work of that Conference.

            Separate attention will be paid to intolerance with respect to migrants. In 1994 the OSCE participating States committed themselves to adopting measures to prevent manifestations of intolerance against migrant workers in societies where they are legally resident. However, the current economic crisis has exacerbated the situation of this population group. All this means that at the annual seminar in Warsaw there is a need to discuss the challenges faced by migrants in the OSCE region a result of the economic crisis and to examine the observance of fundamental rights in migration policy.

            No less important for the OSCE area is the question of the harmonious integration of national minorities into society through education, the reason being that education makes it possible for national minorities to develop a distinctive identity of their own, while at the same time enabling them to play a full role in the economic, social and political life of society.

            In continuing co‑operation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Kazakh Chairmanship intends to hold a supplementary meeting on the topic of the integration of national minorities through education.

Another no less acute problem is trafficking in human beings, which has taken on a global scale and become a component of transnational crime. The most vulnerable victims of criminal offences of this kind are children.

It is therefore proposed that one of the supplementary human dimension meetings be devoted to a discussion of how to improve the mechanisms for combating trafficking in human beings, with a particular focus on trafficking in children.

The continued promotion of gender balance and the ensuring of equal rights and opportunities for women in public and political life as well as non‑discrimination with respect to women in OSCE participating States are also of relevance. Kazakhstan will accord priority importance to the protection of women’s rights and the gender equality policy in general, and is planning to hold a meeting on the promotion of gender balance and the participation of women in public and political life.

Kazakhstan will continue work on other key issues – the rule of law, the independence of judicial systems, the prevention of hate crimes, freedom of movement and the liberalization of visa regimes, the situation of Roma and Sinti, etc.

In addition to the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting held in Warsaw, a conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Copenhagen Document will be of great importance. We are providing both organizational and financial support for that event, along with the other co‑sponsors Denmark and the ODIHR. The conference will include a review of the implementation of commitments regarding the observance of fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the rights of national minorities.

            Continuing the practice of previous Chairmanships, Kazakhstan will accord the necessary attention to election monitoring. The Personal Representatives of the Chairman‑in‑Office on election‑related issues will play an important role in this regard.

Another notable measure in this area is our intention to organize a seminar on electronic voting.

Structures and partners

            Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to co‑operation with all the OSCE executive structures.

            Kazakhstan will work to strengthen the role of the Secretary General and Secretariat of the Organization, in view of their important contribution to ensuring political dialogue among the participating States and to the programmes and expert activities in the OSCE region and also the central role played by the Secretariat in co‑ordinating the work of the institutions and field operations.

            The High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Representative on Freedom of the Media constitute key mechanisms for protecting and promoting human rights in the OSCE region.

            The Chairmanship will pay particular attention to the work of the OSCE field missions, which at the request of the host countries may offer significant assistance and support in the implementation of specific development projects.

            With a view to increasing the effectiveness of the work of the Organization and its institutions, the Kazakh Chairmanship will continue to give consideration to different ways of strengthening the legal status of the OSCE, including the possibility of setting up a working group to draft consensus‑based proposals.

            Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the administrative and financial aspects of the Organization’s work as the basis for the successful achievement of its goals. In this connection, Kazakhstan welcomes the timely adoption by the participating States of the OSCE Unified Budget for 2010, and will continue active work to resolve other outstanding issues in this area.

            An important area of work for the Kazakh Chairmanship is co‑operation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, including co‑operation in matters concerned with election observation. Particular attention in this sphere will be paid to strengthening collaboration between the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the ODIHR.

            As part of the efforts to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE, an OSCE Trans‑Asian Parliamentary Forum will be held in Almaty on 13 and 14 May 2010.

            As the holder of the OSCE Chairmanship, Kazakhstan will also co‑ordinate the Organization’s work with the Mediterranean Contact Group.

            As a Central Asian country, Kazakhstan intends to pay greater attention to work with the OSCE’s Asian Partners for Co‑operation, acting as a co‑sponsor for specific events and inviting the partners to take part in the third summit meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence‑Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which Turkey will host this summer.

            Particular attention will be devoted during our Chairmanship to developing the OSCE’s co‑operation with other international and regional organizations on the basis of the Platform for Co‑operative Security, including the United Nations, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, NATO, the CICA, the Shanghai Co‑operation Organization, the Council of Europe, the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community.

OSCE summit

            A major priority of the Kazakh Chairmanship of the OSCE is its work towards the convening of an OSCE summit in 2010 – an event that would breathe new life into the Organization’s activities and provide a fresh impulse to it in the current situation.

            A common interest in the holding of an OSCE summit in 2010 was expressed through the inclusion of a paragraph on this subject in the text of the Ministerial Declaration on the OSCE Corfu Process adopted at the 17th Ministerial Council meeting in Athens.

            The year 2010 is a landmark year for our Organization for it marks several anniversary dates that are of great importance in the European security architecture arrangements.

            The 35th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the 20th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe and the 20th anniversary of the Copenhagen Document provide an excellent opportunity for a serious analysis of the role of our Organization today in ensuring security in the area from Vancouver to Vladivostok and for drawing up principles for the continued functioning of the OSCE. There are a number of pressing issues in the OSCE area that require consideration by State leaders and a fresh impetus at that level if they are to be resolved.

            A summit agenda might include such themes as the current status and future of Euro‑Atlantic and Eurasian security, Afghanistan and tolerance. Kazakhstan is open to new ideas and initiatives and asks all the participating States to work together to determine the substance of a summit meeting.

            In this context, Kazakhstan intends to continue the tradition initiated by the Greek Chairmanship by inviting the foreign ministers of the OSCE participating States to an informal meeting in Almaty this summer. There they will have an opportunity to continue the discussion of the pressing issues concerned with the future of European security, the effectiveness of the existing mechanisms of preventive diplomacy, joint measures to counter the threats and challenges of the modern age and various other aspects involved in holding a summit meeting.

            In view of the unique nature of the OSCE and the need to raise its profile and increase its effectiveness, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has proposed that consideration should be given to the idea of declaring 1 August, the date on which the Helsinki Final Act was signed, OSCE Day.

Date of issue: 2010-02-13