YEREVAN (ArmRadio)–Kazakhstan is set to assume the rotating presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010, marking the first time a member of the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States has presided over the European Security Structure.
Armenia, a co-member of the CIS and a partner country to Kazakhastan was host to a conference on Armenian-Kazakh cooperation Wednesday, organized by the Kazakh Embassy in Yerevan and the Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation.
Speaking to reporters after the conference, Kazakhstan’s Charge d’Affaires Nurbolat Alinbayev discussed his country’s goals during the year-long presidency and denied speculation that it would prioritize interests of CIS countries over others.
Asked whether Khazakhstan would interfere in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, Alinbayev said he believed the conflict’s resolution was the responsibility of the OSCE Minsk Group and “Kazakhstan is not going to interference in the process. It will just be glad to help if possible.”
Alinbayev was also asked to comment on Kazakhstan’s relations with Azerbaijan within the context of Minsk Group peace talks. “It’s not true that Kazakhstan has a pro-Azerbaijani position in the Karabakh issue. Kazakhsta’s stance is unbiased,” Alinbayev said.
”The OSCE plays a pivotal role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. We highly appreciate the mediating efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and we are confident that the negotiations should continue exceptionally in this format,” said Victor Biyujov, representative of the OSCE Division of the European Foreign Ministry.