Skopje, 11 August 2023 (MIA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Bujar Osmani, alongside his Special Representative on Climate Change, Naser Nuredini, met with the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Zulfiya Suleimenova in Astana on Friday, as part of his Central Asia tour.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting Osmani said that Kazakhstan’s commitments to environmental protection positively impact the broader Central Asia region, while underscoring that one of the priorities of North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship is tackling climate change. In that context, the Chairpersonship will continue to encourage initiatives and projects that will mean a shared approach of the OSCE region when it comes to dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis.

“The projects implemented by Kazakhstan with the support of OSCE, especially regarding the EcoPorts in Kuryk and Aktau, are of immense importance for the broader OSCE region. Not only do they contribute to the mitigation of the effects of climate change, but also improve Kazakhstan’s positioning in the Middle Corridor and the global logistics industry,” said Osmani.

Special Representative Nuredini noted the importance of the economic and environmental policies for the OSCE region, especially for the region of Central Asia. He underlined Kazakhstan’s role in the transformation of environmental policies and management of natural resources as a leader in the region. At the same time, Nuredini conveyed North Macedonia’s positive experiences of cross-border cooperation in that field, exchanging ideas for intercountry and interregional cooperation in the future.

“OSCE and Kazakhstan will also cooperate on the project ‘Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity’, with the end goal of improving the trade and transport connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. In that context, during North Macedonia’s Chairpersonship, the holding of a ministerial meeting in Kazakhstan has been initiated in order to accelerate the process,” said the press release.

Photo: MFA