Novosti:Azerbaijan: Kazakhstan - 2010 guarantor of stability in the world
Half a year is left till Kazakhstan chairs the OSCE. This important decision was made on November 30, 2007 at the regular 15th sitting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in Madrid. The candidacy of Kazakhstan was approved unanimously by all 56 member states. For the first time ever a post-soviet Asian country will head the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
At present the OSCE is the biggest regional security organization which unites 56 countries. On the Asian continent only Kazakhstan has a vote of confidence both by the CIS and West pretty much thanks to the authority of its President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan is one of few states to have a balanced interethnic and inter-confessional home policy. As the OSCE member states consider, the conflict-free and predictable foreign policy can forward the organization in the eastern direction uniting uncomfortable space between the former Soviet republics and Europe. This is the only OSCE member state having no conflicts or territorial disputes with other countries.
Kazakhstan joined the OSCE in January 1992. In 2003 the country proceeded with an application for the OSCE chairmanship for the first time. That time the OSCE members thought it would be unreasonably and potentially dangerous to make Kazakhstan chairman in 2009. However in a year the country was honored with this high mission. Unanimous approval of Kazakhstan's candidacy means acknowledgment of its achievements in building of democratic society and liberal market economy. First economy, then politics - this is the current policy of Kazakhstan.
Though the main reason of rejection of the first Kazakhstan's application was weak democracy, many politicians agree that rapid implementation of democratic standards developed in the European countries over centuries could cause collapse of the state. Kazakhstan selected the right course and proved it to the Old World.
Before its application for the OSCE chairmanship Kazakhstan demonstrated successful economic development, liberalization of socio-political life and democratization of the political system. In 2004 the country began the nationwide program of political reforms. New election legislation, which was adopted that time, maximally corresponds to the OSCE standards. Special attention was paid to the activity of different commissions for development and specification of the program of democratic reforms. Special public chamber was established in the Majilis of the Kazakhstan Parliament. The institute of human rights commissioner operates in Kazakhstan since 2002. International Pact on Civil and Political Rights and International Pact of Social, Economic and Cultural Rights were signed by Kazakhstan in 2003.
The moratorium on capital punishment introduced in the country witnessed adherence of Kazakhstan to the principles of democracy and protection of human rights. The results of the democratic reforms held in Kazakhstan are multiparty political system, existence of over 6 thousand NGOs supported by the Government through the system of state social order.
Constitutional reforms of summer 2007 initiated by the Head of the State and transformed Kazakhstan into a parliamentary-presidential republic were a significant step in realization of democratic reforms. The order of formation of the Government was changed; the Government now became accountable to the legislative branch of the power.
The modernization of the Kazakh institutional-legal base proceeds by use of the positive European experience. Legislation on elections, political parties, mass media, reforming of the public service, judicial system and other spheres is improved. Special attention is paid to rapprochement of the Kazakhstani living conditions with the European standards.
The quality of the medical service is increased by means of introduction of informational technologies, improvement of the quality of diagnostics, treatment and prevention of diseases, introduction of food standards, and development of the system of human resources. Cooperation in the field of education, social support, employment and labor migration is developed.
The spectrum of issues the Kazakhstan plans to enter the OSCE with is wide. Firstly, Kazakhstan as one of the developed countries at the post-soviet space can serve as a bridge between the West and the CIS, democratic processes of which pass in different rates. The international accord of Kazakhstan must become an example of cooperation of states and nations. The interethnic and interconfessional tolerance comes first in the republic. Kazakhstan pays special attention to the possibility of extension of cooperation between the OSCE and the Muslim world. Provision of stability and security in the world and Europe is another topical issue addressed by Kazakhstan.
Electing Kazakhstan as a chairman of the OSCE in 2010 the Organization gave big credence to the republic that should become a guide of democracy in the Asian region and guarantor of stability and security in the world space.