In recent years we can increasingly observe that many countries, entire regions are in search of integration processes and strengthening of ties. Economic instability in the world, difficult security situation, challenges and threats associated with international terrorism, and now the COVID-19 pandemic, force to build their foreign and domestic policies differently. Kyrgyzstan has been active in the international arena in recent years. The direction of cooperation on the platform of the EU and the OSCE is one of the most promising.
"It must be said that cooperation with the OSCE is necessary because this organization has a serious influence on the world political map. OSCE recognition of democratic tendencies in this or that country gives confidence in joint work and implementation of many joint projects. The OSCE is objectively a strong organization, and countries like Kyrgyzstan should seek common ground with it for the future, for the development and establishment of their own statehood. Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries in the post-Soviet space, which can boast achievements in the field of democratization of society, citizens' rights and freedoms, constitutional rights, and so on. Hence the conclusion: Kyrgyzstan is already close to the level of self-sufficiency to be a more confident player in the international political field," believes political scientist Mark Antonov.
It is worth saying that over the past few years, the countries of Central Asia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have gone through a difficult journey from high expectations and optimistic hopes to critical reticence and the need to revise the OSCE's Central Asian strategy. The difference in mental culture and historical assumptions has made it difficult to connect the European gene with the Central Asian mentality. This also speaks to the historical strength of self-identification. However cooperation, in particular with the OSCE, will continue and there is no doubt that it will be productive, taking into account all the interests of the region.
International relations expert Viktor Chernykh notes that "the end of the twentieth century was marked in world history by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist camp and the revision of the policy of confrontation. Young states appeared on the political map of the world. New countries, after gaining their independence, faced many challenges, the most important of which was the search for self-identity, the choice of socio-economic and political development path, and the formation of the foreign and security policy model. The proclamation of the course on democratic development became a reliable guarantor of material and financial assistance, investments, political support and recognition by the developed countries of the West.
Economic attractiveness, above all in terms of investment, pushed European countries to begin a new and active dialogue with all countries of the Central Asian region without exception. The motivation for this has been the comprehensive development of all available resources, as well as the provision of security norms and a targeted fight against terrorism. Kyrgyzstan is also active in developing comprehensive contacts, both at the level of states and with various international organizations.
An important point of contact between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE is undoubtedly the achievement of democratic principles in the country. The past early presidential elections of the Kyrgyz Republic and the referendum, which addressed the issues of further internal political development, demonstrated this once again.
"The referendum and presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan are a milestone in the development of the country. I would like to emphasize that this political event stands in the context of evolutionary development of the state. The fact is that Kyrgyzstan is going through a period of so-called "trial and error". Kyrgyzstan's history has already experienced and taught us a great deal. Kyrgyzstan's new government, which came to power after Oct. 4, has demonstrated a fundamentally modern approach to political views and decisions. It is important to make it clear, first and foremost, to themselves, meaning to politicians, that the time is coming when the old format of work should be left behind. Then both the election process itself and the atmosphere before and after will accompany the development of the country politically," political expert and political scientist Pavel Dementyev said.
International observers were satisfied with the election and post-election process in the republic that showed a high level of readiness of the country for abrupt but positive changes, and this could not go unnoticed far beyond Kyrgyzstan.
It is worth adding that last week, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev met with Head of the OSCE / ODIHR Presidential Election Observation Mission Tamas Meszerics.
During the meeting, the results of the presidential elections in the Kyrgyz Republic and the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE / ODIHR EOM were discussed.
In particular, the Kyrgyz minister expressed gratitude to the mission for their participation in monitoring the past elections, as well as for the traditional support from the OSCE in promoting democratic processes in Kyrgyzstan.
Noting that Kyrgyzstan has been cooperating with the OSCE / ODIHR for the observation of elections and referendums for 29 years, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic noted the objectivity of the preliminary conclusions of the mission and the importance for Kyrgyzstan of the ODIHR's recommendations in order to improve electoral legislation.
Kazakbaev expressed satisfaction that, through joint efforts with international observers, Kyrgyzstan was able to hold this most important event for the country, and then it is necessary to jointly prepare for the next, no less important, transitional stages: constitutional reform and parliamentary elections.
In turn, Tamas Meszerics thanked the Kyrgyz side for the full support of the mission and its members in their activities during the difficult quarantine period.
Meszerics stressed that the elections and the referendum were well organized and in general there were no obvious violations. He expressed confidence that the ODIHR will continue to support democratic processes in Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz Republic is in a phase of its dynamic development and such meetings strengthen the confidence of the world community. This, in turn, can be reflected in concrete close and mutually beneficial work, which can change all domestic as well as foreign policy processes for the better.
We emphasize that all Central Asian countries without exception need to be prepared for the fact that such meetings can increase the burden. International organizations such as the OSCE are quite exacting and demanding, and all internal processes have always been under close scrutiny from the outside. This is due to the fact that this region really has a huge potential for implementing various kinds of initiatives and projects in almost all directions.
Kabar News Agency
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