Kazakhstan assumes chairmanship of OSCE

ASTANA – With the start of the New Year, Kazakhstan has assumed chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian and former Soviet State to chair the organization. This is evidence that the principle of equality among the participating states remains valid, as well as recognition of the increasing role of Kazakhstan in a strategically important region and in the OSCE generally," Kazakh Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, said in a press release.

Even as Kazakhstan expressed its commitment to bring Central Asia, the other CIS states, and Europe closer together, some have criticized the choice of Kazakhstan as OSCE chair, saying the country’s human rights record raises concerns. Critics say promises by the Kazakh government to liberalize laws on media and human rights have been unfulfilled.

Saudabayev is expected to outline the Kazakh Chairmanship's priorities in a speech January 14 in Vienna to the Permanent Council, a key OSCE decision-making body.