Kazakh delegation participates in Helsinki commemoration ceremony to mark 40th OSCE anniversary

    Commemorative events took place on July 10 at the historic Finlandia Hall Palace of Congresses in Helsinki, where 40 years ago the signing of the Helsinki Final Act marked the launch of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
    The event was held with the participation of high-level delegations from OSCE member states.
    The participants summarized the efforts of the organization over the past 40 years, and exchanged viewpoints on methods to enhance the effectiveness of the OSCE’s initiatives, Kazinform cited the Foreign Ministry as stating.
    The meeting was attended by a delegation from Kazakhstan headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexey Volkov.
    While addressing those present, Volkov drew attention to the need to strengthen indivisible and comprehensive security and prevent lines of division in the OSCE area, in accordance with the spirit of the Astana Declaration.
    To strengthen the international security system, the Kazakh officials called for the renewal of existing instruments and mechanisms, including measures to ensure trust.
    An informal discussion at the highest level was held during the event with the participation of the OSCE delegates.
    The main focus was given to a discussion on challenges and threats to European security, including the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the stability in the OSCE region.
    During the session, participants also discussed preparations for the meeting of the Council of OSCE Foreign Ministers to be held in Belgrade in December this year, according to Kazinform.