ASTANA: Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Minister for Foreign, Trade and European Affairs of Malta, Ian Borg underscored Kazakhstan’s pivotal role for OSCE during his visit to the central Asian state on June 25.
According to the presidential palace, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Borg to discuss bilateral ties and interaction within the OSCE. Amid current security challenges, the OSCE is pursuing systematic work on all three dimensions in the region and beyond, said Tokayev. He reiterated the commitment of Kazakhstan to close collaboration with all parties in achieving the goals enshrined in the Astana Declaration of the 2010 OSCE Summit.
The President said Kazakhstan is ready to make efforts to achieve these objectives and continue to work together with the Maltese Chairmanship to ensure cooperative and comprehensive security.
Tokayev also conveyed warm wishes to the President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono and declared his willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s role for OSCE
According to Borg, Kazakhstan has always played a vital role in the OSCE. Borg said Kazakhstan’s chairmanship, along with the success of the Astana Summit in 2010, has resulted in the Astana Commemorative Declaration becoming a cornerstone in the history of the OSCE.
Kazakhstan’s comprehensive reform initiative over recent years is worthy of commendation. Borg said OSCE encourages Kazakhstan to leverage the OSCE’s expertise and resources to advance critical topics such as cross-border collaboration, regional security and sustainable development.
He commended Kazakhstan for its role in all three dimensions of security. In global affairs, Kazakhstan sets an example in maintaining peace and security through actions such as holding talks between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister
During the meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, the two sides discussed the internal dynamics and the current situation of the OSCE.
They also exchanged views on potential avenues to boost trust and resume constructive dialogue among its participating countries.
According to the ministry’s press service, Nurtleu expressed the commitment of Kazakhstan to supporting Borg’s efforts in the spirit of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 2010 Astana Declaration.
He added the principles of the Astana Declaration, adopted 14 years ago, retain their significance without losing their relevance.
Borg presented Malta’s priorities at the OSCE, stressing efforts aimed at strengthening the organization’s stability towards peaceful and a safe future.
The parties also discussed cooperation in fighting global terrorism and extremism, illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs, border security and illegal migration. They also touched upon enhancing transportation connectivity in the region of Central Asia.
According to the OSCE, the visit will focus on enhancing regional cooperation and the OSCE’s engagement in addressing the broad range of security challenges the region is facing.
