Dzamila Stehlikova: “Kazakhstan's role is to prevent conflicts in the South Caucasus”

Dzamila Stehlikova: “Kazakhstan's role is to prevent conflicts in the
South Caucasus”

Dzamila Stehlikova chairs the Council for equal opportunities in the
Czech Republic government. She is an ethnic Kazakh, born in Alma-Ata.
She graduated from Moscow medical university of Moscow, continuing her
postgraduate studies in the Czech Republic, where she married. She
began her political career in 1998. She worked for two electoral terms
in the mayor’s office of Khomut city in the Czech Republic. From
January 2007 to January 2009 she was the Minister for Human Rights and
Minorities in the second cabinet of Mirek Topolanek. At the moment she
is working in Kazakhstan.

- How did you take President Nazarbayev’s message “A new decade – new economic growth, new opportunities for Kazakhstan”?

- I believe that Kazakhstan is differs from other countries in its
practical strategy. Kazakh people need clear objectives. The Kazakh
President’s message is, in fact, a complex strategy marking the end of
building the country and the beginning of its development. Besides
industry and education, stress was also laid on culture. I’m engaged
in European policy and I see that many countries don’t have clear
objectives. There are several leading parties with contrary
objectives, that is why their people can’t see their national
interest. Not only should every country live in agreement with other
countries, which Kazakhstan can do well, but each should also have its
own national interests. The proof of this is stability in the country
and rapid economic growth in comparison with other Central Asian
countries. Kazakhstan has shown itself to be an able peacekeeper. I
participated in the forum of ministers of foreign affairs last year
and I saw that Kazakhstan can establish links and find common ground.
The world community is aware of Kazakhstan’s great authority,
entrusting it to lead the OSCE at such a complex time. Europe believes
that Kazakhstan will use its experience of finding consensus in
international policy, it will find mechanisms to solve problems and
prevent conflicts. The chairmanship of the OSCE is a chance for
Kazakhstan to become a leader in the international community and shows
that Kazakhstan is becoming an authoritative player in the world
arena.

- Kazakhstan’s first step, as chairman of OSCE, was a visit to the
South Caucasus. What can Kazakhstan do to settle existing conflicts in
the region?

- If I knew how to settle these conflicts I would probably be awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize. These conflicts go deep into history. The
Caucasus is a complicated region. A person must ‘tiptoe’ there. The
role of Kazakhstan is to prevent conflicts breaking out and widening.
This is the primary objective of Kazakhstan today. Visiting the
weakest spots was the right decision. We should be glad that
Kazakhstan managed to solve the problems it inherited from the USSR
immediately.

- What can you say about holding an OSCE summit in Astana? Does Europe need this summit?

- Yes, it does. Europe is dealing with it’s own problems, losing track
of the international context. Unfortunately, it is busy with internal
issues and relations with the USA. Europe should face east, because
there are prospects for development and expansion. I am not just
talking about Turkey, but the whole of the Eurasian continent. Europe
should look to the future, and if OSCE summit takes place in Astana
Europe will understand that the time has come to change priorities.
The summit would definitely help.

Kulpash Konirova. Exclusively for VK