Kazakhstan likely to join European Cultural Convention

The parties discussed the prospects of Kazakhstan's joining the European Cultural Convention as well as the issues of development of bilateral relations in the fields of interethnic and interconfessional accord between the Council of Europe and Kazakhstan, particularly on the threshold of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE in 2010.

Mrs. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni told about the concept of the White Paper of the Council of Europe for the promotion of intercultural dialogue. According to her, official presentations of the document were held 15 times in different countries. The Director General suggested holding the presentation in Kazakhstan as well.

Afterwards the parties considered measures on promotion of Kazakhstan's integration into the world education process through the invitation from the Council of Europe to join the European Cultural Convention.

Yerik Utembayev noted that it would be the first convention of the Council of Europe Kazakhstan planned to join. Besides, the diplomat told about the priorities of Kazakhstan in 2010 during the period of its chairmanship in the OSCE, particularly in the issues on interreligious, interethnic and interconfessional consent. He emphasized that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions proved to be a natural and efficient part of the global dialogue between religions of the contemporary world.

Mrs. Battaini-Dragoni appreciated Kazakhstan's model of interethnic consent. She gratefully accepted Mr. Utembayev's invitation to visit Kazakhstan, meet with Kazakhstan's authorities and hold presentation of the White Paper.