OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák discussed constructive support for OSCE activities in all three dimensions during visit to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN, 8 April 2019 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák stressed the importance of regional co-operation in all three dimensions of comprehensive security during his visit today to Nur-Sultan. 

Kicking off his first visit to Central Asia during the Slovak 2019 Chairmanship, Lajčák underlined the strategic importance of the region as the Eurasian border of the OSCE. He commended the region’s governments on their positive dynamic towards more regional co-operation, particularly in combating terrorism, promoting good governance and environmental protection, and in strengthening intra-regional security, including with Afghanistan.

In his meetings with the political leadership in Nur-Sultan, including President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; Foreign Minister Beibut Atamkulov; and Chairperson of the Senate of the National Assembly, Dariga Nazarbayeva, Lajčák commended Kazakhstan – the first Central Asian country to have chaired the OSCE - on its long-standing history of co-operation with the Organization and its active role both, in Vienna and on the ground. “Kazakhstan is a key partner in and contributor to these dynamics by creating new initiatives on regional security and more opportunities for OSCE engagement,” said Lajčák.

“I would like to thank the government of Kazakhstan for its constructive support of the activities of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan,” said Lajčák.  “In more than 20 years on the ground, the OSCE and Kazakhstan have achieved a lot together. The Office is active on a wide range of issues, from facilitating trade, furthering water governance and supporting Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy, through to developing social services for victims of human trafficking and in engaging youth in the regional security dialogue. But there is still room for more and I am looking forward to further co-operation.”

Minister Lajčák saw the Programme Office’s work in action when listening to a group of young leaders from Kazakhstan and alumnae of OSCE youth programmes, such as Central Asian Youth Network and the training for Youth Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (OSCE LIVE).

Speaking about the work of the Slovak Chairmanship, he said: “we will fail in to respond to the challenges of tomorrow and create a safer future for all, If we do not include youth voices, perspectives and expertise in our brainstorming and in our decision-making processes, we will fail to respond to the challenges of tomorrow and fail to create a safer future for all.”

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also met with representatives of civil society, underlining their crucial role in society and in the work of organizations, such as the OSCE: “Nothing we do at the OSCE stands a chance at achieving real progress on the ground without the buy-in and participation of civil society. We need them in any step forward across the OSCE region - big or small.”