Kazakh Foreign Minister Calls for Diplomacy and Stronger OSCE Cooperation at Ministerial Council Meeting

Vienna, The Gulf Observer: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, participated in the 32nd Meeting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers, where member states reviewed the results of the Finnish Chairpersonship and discussed key security challenges across the OSCE region, the Kazakh MFA reported.

During the meeting, delegates exchanged views on regional security assessments and explored solutions to address institutional issues within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

In his address, Minister Kosherbayev underscored that the anniversaries of the Helsinki Final Act and the Astana Declaration reaffirm the continued relevance of the OSCE’s core principles. He stressed that the international community must show political will to uphold, rather than revise, these principles. He also highlighted the OSCE’s unique tools in prevention, mediation, and monitoring, urging their effective use.

Calling for diplomacy over confrontation, the Kazakh Foreign Minister reiterated his country’s support for peaceful, lawful resolutions to global crises, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions. He welcomed the recently signed Peace Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia, along with progress made in resolving border issues within Central Asia.

Kosherbayev emphasized that Central Asia is becoming a more united and constructive region, increasingly active in global diplomacy. He also highlighted the importance of stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan, noting the establishment of the UN Regional Center for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty as a key instrument of regional cooperation.

Addressing the OSCE’s economic and environmental agenda, he called for strengthened efforts to improve connectivity, develop green economies, and enhance environmental resilience. He pointed to major challenges such as the shrinking Aral and Caspian Seas, climate change, desertification, and water scarcity. Kazakhstan, he said, intends to promote solutions at the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for April 2026 in Astana.

Reaffirming Kazakhstan’s commitment to human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and gender equality, Minister Kosherbayev noted the wide-ranging democratic reforms underway in the country.

He concluded by expressing Kazakhstan’s readiness to work closely with the incoming Swiss Chairpersonship and all member states to strengthen the OSCE as an inclusive platform for dialogue and cooperation on security matters.

Earlier, the OSCE High Commissioner commended Kazakhstan’s model of interethnic harmony.