Kazakhstan ready for close cooperation with OSCE, concerned about disagreement over OSCE's role - Tokayev

ASTANA. June 7 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan views interaction with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as a priority, but is concerned about disagreements over the OSCE's role, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"Kazakhstan views cooperation with the OSCE as a priority. We are concerned about current disagreements over the role of this organization. Not a single document has been adopted at the ministerial level or in any other format since the summit hosted by Astana in 2010. Of course, this makes us concerned," the presidential press service quoted Tokayev as saying at a meeting with OSCE Secretary-General Helga Schmid in Astana on Wednesday.

"We still believe that we need close ties within the OSCE," he said.

Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's readiness "to continue close cooperation with the OSCE in the spirit of mutually advantageous partnership and transparency, and to fully support Helga Schmid as the OSCE secretary-general," the press service said.

Schmid agreed with Tokayev.

"You are absolutely right. I think these are difficult times. The OSCE continues to serve as a unique platform for dialogue despite all the challenges we face. [...] You mentioned the Astana Summit. I personally had the pleasure of participating in this summit. You are right, it turned out to be the last summit that was held. The Astana Declaration is indeed a very important document regulating the activities of the OSCE," she said.

Schmid said she was looking forward to Tokayev's speech at the Astana forum. "I believe that now more than ever it is important to listen to each other in order to reach agreement. This is a key task for the OSCE," she said.

The sides discussed the status and prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and the OSCE, in addition to pressing regional and global affairs, the press service said.