Malta, December 6, 2024 – The Europe Today: Foreign ministers from the 57 participating states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) convened in Malta for the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council (MC), according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The high-level meeting reviewed the achievements of the OSCE under Malta’s 2024 Chairpersonship and addressed pressing challenges to security and stability across the OSCE region. Discussions also focused on overcoming the institutional crisis currently confronting the Organization amid a complex global geopolitical landscape.
Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Multilateral Security
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need to revive the “spirit of Helsinki,” referencing the foundational principles established in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act.
Nurtleu reiterated Kazakhstan’s steadfast commitment to multilateral cooperation to ensure peace and stability within the OSCE region. He affirmed Kazakhstan’s dedication to strengthening the OSCE and adapting it to meet the challenges posed by the evolving global security environment.
As the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act approaches, Nurtleu underscored the importance of adhering to its principles, as well as those outlined in the 2010 Astana Declaration, adopted during Kazakhstan’s OSCE chairmanship.
Economic and Environmental Cooperation
The Kazakh Foreign Minister highlighted the OSCE’s role in fostering economic and environmental collaboration. He referenced the outcomes of the “One Water Summit,” co-hosted by Kazakhstan, France, and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on December 3, as an example of meaningful multilateral engagement.
To address climate change, Nurtleu proposed collaborative efforts among OSCE states and extended an invitation to the UN Regional Climate Summit, set to take place in Kazakhstan in 2026.
Key Outcomes and Bilateral Engagements
A significant outcome of the Ministerial Council was the approval of the OSCE Secretary General and the leadership of the Organization’s key institutions.
On the sidelines of the event, Minister Nurtleu engaged in bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Belgium, Georgia, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Türkiye, and Finland. These discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing collaboration within the OSCE framework. The meetings also covered regional and global priorities, with agreements reached on advancing cooperation in mutual areas of interest.
Kazakhstan’s Legacy within the OSCE
As an OSCE member since 1992, Kazakhstan has played a pivotal role in shaping the Organization’s agenda. Notably, its 2010 OSCE chairmanship culminated in the adoption of the Astana Declaration, reaffirming the Organization’s commitment to cooperative security.
Kazakhstan’s active participation in the OSCE underscores its enduring dedication to fostering regional stability, multilateral dialogue, and sustainable development in an increasingly complex global landscape.
