President Margareta Cederfelt meeting with Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairperson of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, 9 June 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Senate of Kazakhstan)ASTANA, 9 June 2023 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) today concluded a week-long visit to Kazakhstan, where she met with the country’s leadership and participated in the Astana International Forum, the Global Businesswomen Council, and the Regional Meeting of Heads of OSCE Field Operations in Central Asia.
Meeting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairperson of the Senate Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairperson of the Mazhilis Yerlan Koshanov, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Mazhilis Aigul Kuspan, and Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, Cederfelt emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary ties within the OSCE PA and at the regional level. She also met with the Ambassador of the EU to Kazakhstan, the UN Resident Coordinator, and civil society representatives.
During the meetings with state officials, Cederfelt stressed the significance of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue, commended the work of OSCE field operations, and encouraged the instrumentalization of multilateral co-operation to implement regional initiatives, including a transit project linking Kazakhstan and the European Union known as the Middle Corridor. In addition to discussions on the ongoing reform process and the challenges faced by Kazakhstan amid geopolitical developments, Cederfelt also raised concerns regarding freedom of association, assembly and expression and encouraged the authorities to align media legislation with international commitments.
President Cederfelt commended the active participation of the Kazakhstan OSCE PA Delegation in the Assembly’s activities. She particularly highlighted the valuable contribution of OSCE PA Vice-President Askar Shakirov as the Special Representative on Sustainable Development Goals and expressed hope for further engagement from Kazakhstan’s OSCE PA Delegation.
During a meeting with Dr. Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, President Cederfelt inquired about the office's contribution to Kazakhstan’s ongoing reform process. Commending the efforts to advance OSCE goals in Kazakhstan, she underscored the importance of enhancing security in all dimensions, including water management and environmental issues.
Participating in a session on “The Future of Multilateralism” during the Astana International Forum, President Cederfelt emphasized that the Russian Federation's war in Ukraine has consequences throughout and beyond the OSCE region. She stressed that the war is not only an attack on Ukraine but also on multilateralism at the global level.
During a meeting with civil society representatives, Cederfelt exchanged views on regional developments and discussed human rights issues, including enhancing the participation of women in public life.
