The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani concluded his visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The trip focused on strengthening regional co-operation and the OSCE's engagement in addressing the broad range of security challenges the region is facing.
In Tashkent, Chairman Osmani met with the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (the Parliament) Tanzila Narbaeva, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and other interlocutors.
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office highlighted the constructive co-operation the OSCE has with the country through its OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and institutions.
"As Chairpersonship, we attach equal importance to all regions within the OSCE area. We outlined Central Asia to be one of our priorities. By this visit, we are translating words into concrete action." said Osmani.
"We see OSCE as a whole. I reiterated to the Uzbekistan authorities that the OSCE is committed to continue to support the country in implementing its reform agenda. This is another reason why we need to engage in even closer co-operation and pursue a co-ordinated regional response, on top of effective multilateralism."
In Astana, Chairman Osmani met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament Maulen Ashimbayev, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Zulfiya Suleimen and other high-level officials.
He commended Kazakhstan for its active engagement in addressing regional challenges and its commitment to promoting integration and connectivity in Central Asia. Chairman Osmani also stressed the excellent co-operation between the OSCE and Kazakhstan, including through the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.
"The OSCE is fully engaged in delivering concrete projects to the benefit of the people across the OSCE region, including Central Asia."
"The co-operation between Kazakhstan and the OSCE showcases many best practices that could be replicated, contributing to important public policies and processes. Using OSCE values and principles and its role as a unique platform for dialogue between different regions is more important than ever."
In both countries, Chairman Osmani met with representatives of civil society and the staff of the OSCE field operations there, including the Programme Office in Astana and the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.
