Kazakhstan wants to acquire observer status at PACE

The parliament further introduced changes and amendments to enhance the separation of powers, to democratize more and to expand the sphere of civil liberties. These include constitutional amendments as well as new legislation on civil rights, budgetary issues, taxation and customs affairs.

A crucial bill regulating the authority, organization and activities of local administrations and executive branches was adopted by parliament. Other laws on civil society and political parties were adopted to constitute the infrastructure of a democratic Kazakhstan. A constitutional amendment was made to change the electoral system in an attempt to make election procedures more transparent.

The legal grounds of the justice system were changed. Fundamental legal changes were made with respect to judicial affairs, notary activities, criminal procedure and administrative violations. In 2001, a law was adopted on employment opportunities. Under this law, measures were introduced to ensure greater employment and that citizens would have the right to freely choose their area of employment and enjoy fair wage and employment conditions. In addition, to improve the democratic reform program during the process of Kazakhstan's democratization, a state commission was set up numbering members from deputies, the president, the government, political parties, civil society organizations and professional unions. A national democratic reforms program to be renewed every six years was adopted in 2006.

Kazakhstan is readying to take over the 2010 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) presidency. The European Union supported its bid to win the OSCE presidency, showing its eagerness for cooperation. Kazakhstan may play a crucial role in the establishment of security, stability and democratization in the region by drawing attention to Central Asian issues.

Kazakhstan is currently working to acquire observer status at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a step that will get it closer to Europe. A cooperation agreement was signed between Kazakhstan and PACE in March 2004. According to the content of the agreement, Kazakhstan will submit an annual report on the state of human rights and democratization to PACE. The agreement also recognizes the right to attend PACE plenary sessions.

PACE faces a dilemma -- namely, whether it is appropriate to recognize a non-European country as an observer member. However, it should be noted that like Turkey and the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan is a country located at the intersection of the European and Asian continents; it is also a synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures. In any case, Kazakhstan and the Kazakh people have for the last two centuries remained close to Europe and European values.

Stability in Central Asia is one of the biggest challenges on the Asian continent. Most Asian countries are dealing with extreme poverty. Domestic social and economic problems cause serious conflicts in these countries. However, Kazakhstan has no such problem thanks to productive and smart policies that have improved the overall economic situation and welfare of the people. When it acquires observer status at PACE, Kazakhstan will play a crucial role in supporting the European Union through the democratization of many Asian countries.

Kazakhstan is a member in a number of leading international institutions and organizations, including the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEc) Inter-parliamentary Union, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and others.