Religious leaders call for tolerance, respect and cooperation
A wide range of issues related to the role of religious leaders in building a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation were discussed during the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions which was held in Astana on 1 and 2 July 2009.
Sessions were devoted to such themes as: “Moral and spiritual values, and world ethics”, “Dialogue and cooperation”, and “Solidarity, especially in times of crisis”.
The Forum resulted in the adoption of an Appeal by the participants to the world community. It was also decided to hold the Fourth Congress in 2012 in Astana.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the discussions at the Congress had once again demonstrated the interest of all the spiritual leaders gathered in Astana in engaging in dialogue. All the statements had reflected a common concern regarding the destiny of the world in its diversity, as well as a pursuit of ways to enhance harmony and understanding among states, nations and different religions, he said.
The participants in the Forum proclaimed the important role of religion in maintaining peace and harmony, tolerance and mutual understanding, and strengthening the moral foundations of society. In these challenging times of global crisis, this role is dramatically reinforced. Therefore, spiritual values should be elevated to the rank of one of the main operating mechanisms in the world, following the restructuring currently underway.
Mr.Nazarbayev expressed his confidence that the outcome of the Third Congress would play a very important conceptual and practical role in promoting dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. That would bring people closer together and strengthen interreligious understanding in the world.
“I want to stress that an open intercultural and interreligious dialogue is one of the key issues in Kazakhstan’s domestic and foreign policy”, said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
At the picture: President Nursultan Nazarbayev and religious leaders in Astana
Foreign Minister meets OSCE Secretary General
On 3 July, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Marat Tazhin, met with the OSCE Secretary General, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, in Astana. The diplomats discussed a wide range of issues concerning co-operation between Kazakhstan and the OSCE, including the agenda of Kazakhstan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the Organization and the most relevant topics of interest for the participating States.
They also examined the outcome of the informal meeting of OSCE foreign ministers recently held on the Greek island of Corfu. That meeting resulted in the launch of what is known as the "Corfu Process", which envisages the adoption of specific steps with a view to responding effectively to security challenges in Europe and further strengthening confidence-building measures. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut noted that the agenda of the Kazakhstan chairmanship included such issues as “the strengthening of the Organization’s activities in all its areas, the strengthening of the rule of law, civil institutions, democracy and the electoral process” as well as the issues of Afghanistan.
“We are also pleased to note that Kazakhstan is preparing for its chairmanship of the OSCE in a highly organized and detailed manner”, Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut remarked, adding that the OSCE Secretariat “was ready to offer full support to Kazakhstan in its preparations for the chairmanship of the Organization”.
New highway to link Europe and Asia
Kazakhstan is beginning the construction of its segment of the future Western Europe - Western China transport corridor. Experts predict that this transit corridor will lead to some of the freight from China being transported overland rather than being shipped by sea.
Trade between Europe and Asia today is estimated to be worth 700 billion dollars. Almost half of this freight traffic comes from rapidly developing China. However, the main transport arteries linking East and West cross seas and oceans – ships carry almost 90 per cent of the goods traded between Europe and Asia. Sea routes are chosen primarily for financial reasons – shipping is the cheapest way of transporting goods, but also the slowest compared to other forms of transport. Railways as an alternative to sea transport present some technical difficulties, however. For example, railways run on different track gauges in European and Asian countries.
A transcontinental highway linking Western Europe and Western China was thus selected as the best option. The construction of the Kazakh segment of this highway will be one of the greatest infrastructure projects for independent Kazakhstan.
As for the expected revenue, the total income from freight transit on the territory of Kazakhstan by 2015 could amount to 2 billion dollars. And that is without taking into the account the general commercial and social returns, which should be even greater than the financial income from transit.
A fairly long segment of this route – 2,787 kilometres – will pass through Kazakhstan.
The cost of this project for Kazakhstan will be 804 billion tenge (5.35 billion US dollars at the current exchange rate). More than half of these funds will come from external sources. The Government has already signed a number of agreements with the various financial institutions, including the IBRD, EBRD, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Japanese International Co-operation Agency.
All construction work on the highway is scheduled for completion by 2012. Part of the route will be built with the public-private partnership mechanisms.
EAPC Security Forum held in Astana
The third Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Security Forum was held in Astana on 24 and 25 June. High-ranking delegations from NATO/EAPC member States and international organizations participated in its work.
An important result of the meeting was the establishment of dialogue between NATO and the Shanghai Co-operation Organization. Kazakhstan pointed to the need for complementarity and co-operation on the part of the organizations present in the region.
The Afghan issue was among the topics of the discussions. Kazakhstan stressed the interdependence of the situation in Afghanistan and the security of Central Asia as well as the importance of further strengthening the non-military aspects of programmes to assist Afghanistan.
NATO welcomed the start of the final stage in the process of agreeing on a draft agreement regarding the transit of non-military goods through the territory of Kazakhstan. A start was also made to develop co-operation between NATO and the Central Asian Regional Information and Co-ordination Centre (CARICC) for combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs.
Participants underscored the importance of the Central Asian region in ensuring stable and diversified energy supplies and pointed to the need for co-ordinated efforts on the part of all interested countries. Proper coverage was given to the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan calling for the development of a new international instrument for comprehensive horizontal and vertical nuclear non-proliferation along with the declaration of 29 August as the international day of nuclear weapons renunciation.
At the picture: Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer during the meeting in Astana
A key partner in Central Asia
Major energy exporter provides aid to Afghanistan
By Dave O'Reilly and Sam Nunn (The Washington Times, July 6, 2009)
As the Obama administration moves to "reset" relations with Russia with this week's summit in Moscow, it can feel fortunate in its relations with several other countries of the former Soviet Union, no more so than Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
No need to reset relations there. Rather, the opportunity is to enhance current political and security ties, pursue shared regional and global objectives and expand a vibrant energy and commercial relationship.
Unquestionably, Kazakhstan's most important contribution to global security has been its historic decision to give up more than 1,400 nuclear weapons remaining in its territory after the Soviet breakup. Weapons-grade uranium, equivalent to dozens of bombs, also was moved to the United States for elimination and kept away from dangerous hands in a joint covert operation known as Project Sapphire.
A major uranium producer, Kazakhstan more recently offered to host a multinational fuel bank under International Atomic Energy Agency control, which could ensure a backup supply of safeguarded low-enriched uranium as an alternative to independent national enrichment facilities. These invaluable initiatives address critical proliferation challenges facing next year's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
Also important, Kazakhstan has been elected the first non-European chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) starting in 2010 and is actively supporting international initiatives to restore security and peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. With its relationships of trust with both Russia and the West, as OSCE chair, Kazakhstan will be in a significant position to promote more positive European security arrangements following last year's conflict between Russia and Georgia.
Looking to Southwest Asia, Kazakhstan is the only Eurasian country to have adopted a special assistance program for Afghanistan reconstruction, focusing on water and food supply as well as law enforcement and border-guard training.
In energy, Kazakhstan is a regional and indeed a global leader, and it is using its resources to strengthen its economic position and commercial opportunities. It holds the largest oil reserves and the second-largest gas reserves in Central Asia, which are being tapped by such major projects as Tengiz, Karachaganak and, prospectively, Kashagan. They are entering the markets through rail shipments and pipelines that traverse Russia, China and the Caucasus.
Successful engagement with three regional states -- Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan -- will be critical for future European energy security, which underlines the importance of close and supportive relations with Astana, the Kazakh capital.
Like other countries, however, Kazakhstan has been seriously challenged by the global financial crisis.
Economic growth that reached 10.7 percent in 2006 will likely contract to just 1 percent this year, unemployment has risen to 8 percent, and the country's financial institutions, housing sector and economic enterprises are experiencing the greatest stress since independence. The government wisely created a new National Fund, which is playing a key role in maintaining economic stability and securing jobs and pensions.
Adding in gold and currency reserves, the government's rainy-day funds amount to about $50 billion, and its state holding company, Samruk-Kazyna, is capitalized at an additional $30 billion - all critical in weathering the storm.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his government deserve credit for moving aggressively to stabilize the economy and restore growth - earmarking $25 billion (a quarter of its gross domestic product) to fight the crisis but also cutting corporate taxes in half over the next three years and focusing funds on such job-creating sectors as small and medium enterprise and infrastructure projects.
More broadly, Kazakhstan is implementing a strategy to become one of the world's 50 most competitive economies -- funding thousands of Kazakh students around the globe and undertaking pro-investment measures and expansive trade moves to lead hopefully to its early accession to the World Trade Organization.
What kinds of steps will accelerate Kazakhstan's progress to these goals? Four in particular stand out.
- Open markets: A level and transparent playing field will maximize the free flow of energy, trade and investment and will stimulate economic growth.
- Sound policies: In particular, economic stability and a business-friendly environment are needed for future investment commitments.
- Rule of law: Uniform, consistent and enforceable laws, contract sanctity and a robust body of case law are major elements.
- An effective development strategy: Applied technology and increased human capacity - education and training, job creation and health care - go hand in hand with increased investments.
Like their political and security counterparts, these economic initiatives deserve continued high priority in Astana and strong international encouragement and support.
While it is logical to engage with the Group of 20 major economic countries, the United States also should engage proactively with other regional leaders such as Kazakhstan.
An encouraging step in this direction was the welcome accorded to Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Energy Secretary Steven Chu and by National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones during the minister's recent visit to Washington.
The next big, positive step would be a meeting between President Obama and Mr. Nazarbayev, at which they could give further impetus to the growing political, security and economic agenda binding our two countries.
Preparing for the Chairmanship
From the KazakhstanOSCE2010 Report in the “European Voice” newspaper, 23 July 2009
Excerpts from the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Marat Tazhin at the informal OSCE Ministerial meeting, Corfu, 28 June 2009
The existing disagreements over the CFE Treaty are a matter of great concern for Kazakhstan since the negotiations between the concerned parties on the issue have been stalled. The absence of a meaningful security framework within the OSCE area can have a negative impact on both the arms control regime and issues of non-proliferation and others.
We have to admit that we are going to face for some indefinite time the issue of protracted conflicts in the OSCE space. These conflicts have inflicted enormous damages on humanitarian, cultural, economic and political relations among nations. And these conflicts fuel mutual suspicion and mistrust among the conflicting parties that then leads to undesired arms buildup.
We have to keep a close eye on the developments in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan will attach a great deal of importance to issues related to arms control as well as proliferation of dangerous materials and weapons of mass destruction, as we feel that these issues have to be an indivisible part of the European security dialogue.
There has to be a comprehensive and encompassing approach to European security. Hence, we should not forget that many conflicts in the OSCE area originated on the basis of ethno-confessional confrontation. This is the reason why Kazakhstan suggests organizing a comprehensive conference on tolerance in 2010.
"We will act impartially", interview
From the KazakhstanOSCE2010 Report in the “European Voice” newspaper, 23 July 2009
Interview with Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the OSCE
Why did Kazakhstan decide to apply for the Chairmanship of the OSCE and what are you hoping to get from it?
The incoming Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship is a logical reflection of both – the political trends in Organization’s development and certain achievements of my country in its progress. Due to the objective reasons the center of gravity for many international security issues has shifted towards CIS area and Central Asia. Today the region is the OSCE’s outpost in fighting against new threats such as international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and others.
What are the main issues facing the OSCE today and how will Kazakhstan help address them?
The issues of European security remain to be in the rank of outstanding problems. The recent informal ministerial meeting in Corfu has demonstrated that the European security dialogue requires long-term and detailed negotiations.
We are also greatly concerned about the unsettled protracted and even escalated conflicts in the OSCE area.
We should keep in mind that conflict settlement and problem management is our Organization’s primary task, no matter how difficult the issues. The Chairmanship should never lose its sight on cooperation promotion in all three dimensions.
Many in Europe are worried that Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship is an extension of Russia's foreign policy? Should they be?
Certainly the worries are pretty exaggerated. Unfortunately still many observers live with biased approaches. The Chair does not adopt decisions alone for all the participants of the Organization. The Chair’s task is to ensure consensus and act on the consensus-based decisions. Both Moscow and Western capitals are well aware of this fact.
Kazakhstan’s close relations with Russia are an objective political reality. And exactly these close ties with Moscow should assist us in promoting trust and co-operation in Euro-Atlantic area, which is so needed today.
Afghanistan is increasingly in the focus of the Vienna based OSCE Secretariat. Is this a mission the OSCE should pursue? If so, what is the added value of the OSCE in Afghanistan?
All the OSCE participating States – to greater or lesser degree – are involved in the stabilization process in Afghanistan. The situation in this country continues to worry the international community, and above all, us in Central Asia.
To what extend the OSCE should get involve in Afghanistan is still under discussion. In any case this will be a consensus decision by all the participating States. But I firmly believe that Afghanistan requires the OSCE assistance in increasing security and enhancing the rule of law, promoting economic rehabilitation as well as building a strong civil society. It is also important to set up coordination between the different international structures assisting Afghanistan.
How will Kazakhstan use the OSCE Chairmanship to better merge the security cultures of Europe and Central Asia - is 2010 an opportunity to strengthen Kazakhstan-EU cooperation?
By joining the OSCE in 1992 Central Asia then became a part of the European security culture. But of course, the political realities in the region are much different due to close neighborhood with large Asian and Middle Eastern countries. By chairing the OSCE we will do our best to bring to Central Asia the best from Europe, however without detracting from the age-long values of the Great East.
Last year President Nursultan Nazarbayev adopted the State Programme “Path to Europe” aimed at bringing Kazakhstan to a new level of strategic partnership with leading European countries. In 2008 the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the EU reached $39 billion. And of course the OSCE Chairmanship can substantially increase the level and the quantity of political contacts and promote further cooperation in economic and human dimensions between Europe and Kazakhstan.
At the picture: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry in Astana.
Countdown to 2010
From the KazakhstanOSCE2010 Report in the “European Voice” newspaper, 23 July 2009
by Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, the OSCE Secretary General.
In less than six months Kazakhstan will be leading the world’s largest security organisation. Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship is a historic step.
The country will be the first post-Soviet and the first Central Asian state to chair the OSCE.
The Kazakh chairmanship points to the shifting centre of gravity of Euro-Atlantic security, eastwards from the Fulda Gap towards Central Asia and its neighbourhood.
New security challenges are complex and cross-border. They include organised crime and drug trafficking, radicalisation and terrorism, environmental challenges and democratic transformation.
The OSCE can provide some key answers to these problems. For the OSCE participating States, genuine security requires politicomilitary co-operation, healthy economic and environmental governance, and also the rule of law, democratic government and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
The OSCE has a toolbox to support this concept. Eighteen field operations, from the Western Balkans to the Tajik-Afghan border, advance this vision in practical ways. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Representative on Freedom of the Media – work to help States and societies, while specialised units of the OSCE Secretariat provide support on policing, anti-terrorism, anti-trafficking, and economic and environmental matters.
Kazakhstan will be leading this ambitious enterprise at a challenging time. The economic crisis is hitting hard and in different ways in different countries.
Tensions remain high in some regions, and conflicts are still unresolved. Politico-military challenges are back at the top of the agenda. Democratic processes are challenged in some regions.
The OSCE's other participating States will look to Kazakhstan for leadership – to increase security along the northern Afghan border, to build confidence across tense conflict lines, and to maintain momentum in supporting all societies undergoing democratic transformation. Taking forward the renewed dialogue on pan-European security, in the name of the “Corfu Process” launched by this year's Greek Chairmanship.
Kazakhstan has its own rich experience to share. Its position in Central Asia, its international leadership in key areas, and, not least, its efforts since 1991 to build a tolerant, multi-ethnic society – Astana can bring all of these to its leadership of the OSCE.
Chairing the OSCE is a responsibility -- to the ambitions of the shared values at the heart of the OSCE. Chairing the OSCE is also demanding. Forging common approaches to shared challenges, widening the ground for political dialogue, striving always to build consensus – these are not easy.
There are no secrets here. Practice shows that a successful OSCE chairmanship should provide vision and leadership and work as a team with all parts of the OSCE family.
