OSCE Centre in Astana marks 10th anniversary

ASTANA, 27 March 2009 - The OSCE Centre in Astana marked its 10th anniversary with an official ceremony today highlighting the OSCE's work to support Kazakhstan in all dimensions of security.

Government officials, members of Parliament, political party leaders, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, embassies and international organizations took part in the ceremony. Guests included Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantin Zhigalov and Ambassador Herbert Salber, the Director of the OSCE Secretariat's Conflict Prevention Centre.

"Although 10 years in the country is a short period for the Organization as a whole, we think a lot has been done, and believe the Centre has made a contribution to strengthening security issues and the development of democracy in such a young and independent country as Kazakhstan," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre. "And as Kazakhstan has become the first post-Soviet state to chair the OSCE, we hope that this honourable post will give an additional impetus for the further development of the country, contribute to enhancing security issues and fostering new reforms in the region, and thus strengthen the capacity and prestige of the Organization."

Over the past decade the OSCE Centre has supported Kazakhstan in promoting OSCE values and principles, including facilitating security and confidence-building measures, economic and environmental activities and the implementation of human rights according to international standards.

In particular, the Centre works in the fields of legislative and judicial reforms, environmental issues, anti-trafficking and anti-corruption, combating terrorism, organized crime and money laundering, media developments, election issues, strengthening civil society, gender equality, combating domestic violence and assistance to law enforcement agencies.

Keltchewsky said that the Centre has enjoyed excellent working relations with the Kazakh authorities and civil society at all levels, based on open dialogue, partnership and mutual respect.

During the ceremony, a short documentary on the OSCE's 10 years in Kazakhstan was shown, and Keltchewsky presented the first translation into the Kazakh language of the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe. The publications were edited by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and published by the OSCE Centre in Astana with the support of the German Foreign Ministry.

Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantin Zhigalov, discussing Kazakhstan's 2010 OSCE Chairmanship, said: "Kazakhstan traditionally stands for strengthening the role of the OSCE as an important component of the modern architecture of international security. Our main goals and objectives are adapting the Organization to constantly changing realities and enhancing its authority and efficiency. The "spirit of Helsinki" will remain the general leitmotif of our work in the OSCE Troika and Chairmanship from 2009-2011, while searching for an optimal future for European security."

The Centre has assisted the government ahead of the Chairmanship to raise awareness about OSCE activities, train designated Kazakh officials and facilitate information exchange between OSCE institutions and relevant state agencies.

The OSCE Centre in Astana and its Liaison Office in Almaty have some 30 national and international employees and an annual budget of around two million euros.