Enhancing political parties system focus of OSCE-supported conference in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 7 June 2013 – An OSCE-supported international conference aimed at enhancing the political party system and the work of parliamentary factions in Kazakhstan was held in Astana today.

The event was held jointly by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the non-governmental organization Public Foundation for Parliamentary Development in Kazakhstan, the US Agency for International Development and the OSCE’s Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

The event brought together some 60 leaders of political parties, government officials, Members of Parliament and civil society representatives. Experts from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Sweden shared their experiences with participants and discussed issues related to the work of Kazakhstan’s party system, developing and promoting democratic governance practices, and addressing challenges faced by the three parliamentary factions in Kazakhstan.

“Parties support the link between the government and society through satisfying social demands, offering political ideas and programmes, and exercising control over the activities of the government,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “Yet, the establishment of full-fledged political pluralism is one of the most difficult tasks that countries face in their transition to democracy. In this regard, the international experience can help develop a mature democracy in a more efficient way.”

Zauresh Battalova, the President of the Public Foundation for Parliamentary Development in Kazakhstan, said: “Today, parliamentary and political institutions in Kazakhstan are in the state of development. We hope that the project will help enhance the role of parties in the political system, strengthen their links with civil society, and make the parliamentary system as a whole more effective.”