Kazakhstan proved to be reliable and responsible partner in the international arena - K.Tokayev

The Speaker voiced priorities of the country's activity on the post of the OSCE chairman, including initiatives made by Kazakhstan within the framework of the Organization. In this context K.Tokayev paid attention to relevance and timeliness of the Kazakh idea on holding the OSCE Summit in Astana in 2010. According to him, it will not only give additional impulse to political rapprochement of the Organization's member states, but will promote development of effective solutions on a number of international problems, first of all, the situation in Afghanistan. "The initiative on holding the Summit voiced by the Kazakh President is backed by many partners of Kazakhstan on the OSCE, including some key member states of the Organization", K.Tokayev emphasized.

The Speaker paid special attention to Kazakhstan's foreign priorities based on the principles of multi-vector and political pragmatism. In this context K.Tokayev defined further development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the European Union in all directions of bilateral relations as one of the key long-term priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy. "Our country became a main trade and investment partner of Europe in Central Asia. The trade turnover between the EU and Kazakhstan exceeded USD 39 bln in 2008", he emphasized.

Talking about the priorities of Kazakhstan's internal policy, the Speaker noted intention of the Kazakh leadership to continue the course of the society's democratization and further implementation of international democratic standards in the country.

Students and faculty of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, foreign diplomats accredited in Austria, authoritative representatives of international organizations and expert structures took part in it. OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut and Director of the Diplomatic Academy, former State Secretary of Austria Hans Winkler were among them.