Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry Notes Constructive Interaction with OSCE / ODIHR Referendum Assessment Mission

Nur-Sultan, 8 June 2022 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with the head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) Referendum Assessment Mission Tamás Meszerics.

The mission has been in Kazakhstan to evaluate the preparation and holding of the national referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held last Sunday, 5 June 2022.

During the talk, Meszerics commended the openness and constructive interaction with the Central Referendum Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regional administrations and other state bodies during the work of the OSCE/ODIHR mission. In addition, the mission met with representatives of civil society.

The head of the mission noted that following the results of the observation of voting at the national referendum in Kazakhstan, recommendations would be developed towards further enhancement of the national legislation on the organization of elections. Meszerics reiterated the readiness of the OSCE/ODIHR to continue providing Kazakhstan with the necessary assistance in this process, in particular by designing consultative and educational projects.

For his part, Vassilenko thanked his interlocutor and his team for the substantial work of the mission, underlining that Kazakhstan highly appreciates the ODIHR/OSCE’s experience and recommendations.

At the end of the meeting, goodwill on both sides was noted and a readiness for a progressive increase in cooperation between Kazakhstan and the OSCE/ODIHR.