Today the country has changed beyond recognition -- its economy is flourishing, it has become a crucial energy supplier and has a rising profile on the international stage. As a sign of its growing importance, Kazakhstan earlier this month took over the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The selection of Kazakhstan to chair a major European organization is a precedent: It is the first post-Soviet country, the first predominantly Muslim country and the first Central Asian country to take up the chairmanship.
Kazakhstan, more than any other country to have held the position, regards its chairmanship as an opportunity to enhance its national stature and reaffirm its young independence as well as giving focus to the important role of Kazakhstan in an increasingly strategically important part of the world.
While each chairmanship endeavors to continue the work of its predecessor, there are always key areas of significant importance both regionally and nationally that will be given particular priority. In this respect it will come as no surprise that Kazakhstan plans to have a strong focus on issues where the country has already made substantial progress and can therefore bring real added value. These include regional security, non-proliferation activities, Afghanistan, the fight against terrorism and religious extremism and the promotion of dialogue between civilizations, cultures and religions. Indeed, Kazakhstan is one of the most ethnically diverse countries of the former Soviet Union, with many different religions followed and about 140 ethnic groups. While aiming to further improve minority rights and religious freedom, Kazakhstan has also committed to achieving a series of democratic reforms.
Kazakhstan also takes on the chairmanship at a particularly important time, as the organization is facing many challenges as a result of the lack of consensus among participating states about the nature and direction of the organization. This includes questions regarding its future security structure following suggestions put forward by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2008. Kazakhstan will drive forward ongoing discussions on this issue within the framework of the Corfu Process and plans to make the maximum contribution to meeting the current and emerging security challenges in the OSCE’s area. It is essential, therefore, for the future of the OSCE that 2010 be a year marked by the consolidation and development of the organization rather than one in which disunity is further magnified. This will prove to be a far from easy task.
Kazakhstan also finds itself in a unique position, being party to all the regional structures of the Eurasian and Caspian communities, to bring new impetus to the OSCE’s efforts to stabilize the situation in areas of protracted conflict and to seek their resolution. With President Nursultan Nazarbayev having excellent relations with all the parties involved, Kazakhstan will push for progress in respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflicts. Afghanistan will also figure highly given that the situation there has a direct impact on the other nations of Central Asia and beyond, making the stabilization of the Eurasia region directly linked to that of Afghanistan. For several years, Kazakhstan has been involved in efforts to improve the situation in the country. While increasing its number of troops is important, Kazakhstan will place strong focus on the humanitarian aspect of the conflict and undertake efforts to assist the country boost its economic development. In addition, Kazakhstan will also place strong focus on taking action against challenges and threats stemming from organized crime, drug trafficking and other kinds of illegal trafficking that are almost pandemic in the region. Finally, the chairmanship will also offer Kazakhstan an opportunity to display its creative potential, promoting the country outside the Eurasian community. Indeed, in anticipation of the chairmanship, Kazakhstan developed a special program titled the “Path to Europe.” The program is an ambitious set of policy proposals designed to transform the country in the coming years, reflecting the broader interests of Kazakhstan in cooperation with European countries in the humanitarian field, energy, transport, transit technology and education. The EU is already Kazakhstan’s top trade partner, and the country is also looking to the EU to help the country to diversify its exports.
Kazakhstan’s chairmanship should help it progress somewhat further in achieving these goals and improving its global image. Indeed, Kazakhstan will be in the international spotlight to an extent that it has not seen since independence. The next 12 months offer an opportunity for Kazakhstan to play a leading international role and to help to move the OSCE beyond the impasse that increasingly seems to mark the organization. Good luck, Astana.
