Check against delivery by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Minister Sarsembayev,
Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by thanking the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan for the opportunity to join you today. 

I am pleased to end this visit to Astana — my first as Secretary General — by listening, learning, and exploring with you how we can best support Kazakhstan’s work on rights, justice, and democracy.

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Over these past two days, we have grappled with the realities of security, energy, and the economy — issues that weigh heavily on all our minds.

And how could it be otherwise?

Just days ago, Ukraine endured the largest air attack of the entire war.

Trade winds have become trade storms.

Energy is a battleground for power.

And all of this is happening against a backdrop of democratic backsliding in Europe and beyond.

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This conference sends a clear message: multilateralism works.

Co-operation is stronger than nationalism.

Dialogue is the engine of democracy.

And it is time to put our values — democracy, human rights, and the rule of law — at the heart of our security, our stability, and our growth.

That is what I told President Tokayev yesterday.

And this is why co-operation between Kazakhstan and the Council of Europe matters.

Not only for Kazakhstan — but also for Central Asia, and for Europe.

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This partnership goes back many years.

But it was in 2014 that we launched the Neighbourhood Co-operation Priorities for Kazakhstan.

Since then, this framework has grown in depth and ambition.

Today, we are building on what has been achieved, as we take on new priorities aligned with Kazakhstan’s national reform agenda.

They centre on five areas of real impact:

• Human rights — preventing ill-treatment, safeguarding children, and confronting violence against women.

These are not just European standards — they are universal responsibilities.

• Economic crime — strengthening the capacity of national authorities to address the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), while consolidating recent progress. Because public trust depends on integrity.
• Cybercrime — a threat that respects no borders. We are helping align national laws with Council of Europe standards and strengthening the capacity to investigate cybercrime and handle electronic evidence.
• Justice — ensuring that courts are independent, efficient, and truly accessible to all.
• Democratic governance — supporting the Kazakh Parliament in promoting democratic governance and protecting human rights, with the support of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

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These are the building blocks of lasting reform.

I want to take this opportunity to commend Kazakhstan for the progress it has made in democratic and political reforms, as part of its vision for a just and fair Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is already a party to four Council of Europe conventions.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has invited Kazakhstan to accede to key conventions — on violence against women, corruption, cybercrime, and on money laundering and the financing of terrorism. I am pleased to learn it was confirmed in April.

I encourage Kazakhstan to join these important instruments of European and international co-operation.

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There is a Kazakh proverb that says: “A fur coat sewn together won’t be short.”

It reminds us that lasting results come from shared effort.

Together, let us set an example of how East and West can cooperate — across borders, beyond differences.

Let us show that in an age of uncertainty, dialogue, democracy, and human rights remain our strongest foundation.

That is what I take with me from Astana.

And that is what I will continue to work for — with Kazakhstan, and with all of you.

Thank you.