A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 454 / FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

APK Session Dedicated to Anniversary of Nation’s Independence

Saudi Foreign Minister Makes First Official Visit to Kazakhstan

Also In The News

Spanish FM Talks Trade, Environment in First Kazakhstan Visit

In Focus:Foreign Policy Priorities

APK Session Dedicated to Anniversary of Nation’s Independence

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More than 1,500 people across Kazakhstan participated April 26 in 24th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the country’s independence.

Assembly members and veterans from all regions, chairs of national and regional ethno-cultural unions, Parliament deputies, heads of central executive bodies, political parties, religious associations, non-governmental organisations, university rectors, diplomatic missions of foreign states, scientific and art intelligentsia and media were among the participants, according to APK’s announcement. In Astana, the event was at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev greeted everyone, noting unity among ethnicities is among the greatest values of the country’s independence.

“Kazakhstan managed to preserve friendship - the main heritage (asset) of all generations of Kazakhstan’s people. By the will of the nation, a unique path of equal rights, unity and accord of all ethnic groups in Kazakhstan was elected. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is the fruit of our independence and always stayed at a high level in any challenges and at every period of the independence. Its history is reflected by all stages and concrete results of the nation’s ascent,” he said.

Nazarbayev also outlined adopting Mangilik El (Eternal Nation) act as an important objective of the session.

“An important step – to adopt Mangilik El Patriotic Act as the main document of this session will have to be done at this session. Our nationwide idea Mangilik El is a new matrix of patriotic conscious of the Kazakh people ... the Act is a capacious unique programme of identity of unity of the Kazakh people,” the President said.

The document will reflect the basic spiritual values of the Kazakh people, he added. According to Nazarbayev, it bounds together economy, politics, morality, belief, the country’s vision in the global world and will bind many generations of Kazakh people.

Nazarbayev also discussed changes in the country’s education system. According to him, initiatives in the field of education, including transition to a five-day week, trilingual education caused big debates in the country. However, poorly thought experiments are unacceptable, President stated.

“School issues concern every family. Therefore, all positions must be heard. Unreasoned experiments are not permitted here, nobody can be customised, we decide ourselves what we need,” said the head of state.

Kazakhstan is also getting ready to celebrate the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan May 1 with events around the country. This annual celebration highlights the multi-ethnic community that has been thriving in the Kazakh steppes.

This day is a national holiday during which people around the country often go to their local town squares to socialise and taste the national dishes of the many ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan

“Kazakhstan managed to preserve friendship - the main heritage (asset) of all generations of Kazakhstan’s people. By the will of the nation, a unique path of equal rights, unity and accord of all ethnic groups in Kazakhstan was elected. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is the fruit of our independence and always stayed at a high level in any challenges and at every period of the independence. Its history is reflected by all stages and concrete results of the nation’s ascent.”

- President Nursultan Nazarbayev

Participants of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan session in Astana’s Palace of Independence

Saudi Foreign Minister Makes First Official Visit to Kazakhstan

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Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir made his first visit to Kazakhstan April 27, meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. Adel al-Jubeir assured the President he would like to strengthen relations with Kazakhstan and noted Kazakhstan’s role in developing the Islamic world.

The sides discussed bilateral relations, including in trade, investment and culture. Nazarbayev and Idrissov noted that Saudi Arabia’s long-term development goals expressed in its Vision 2030 economic and social development plan announced April 26 are similar to Kazakhstan’s long-term development plans.

The two foreign ministers also signed a memorandum of cooperation between their ministries.

“Saudi Arabia is a leader of the Muslim world and a major player in the Middle East. Therefore, the position of Saudi Arabia and its policies play a crucial role in solving crises in the region. Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate closely in addressing these crises. We have various platforms on which we agreed to cooperate,” shared Idrissov during a press briefing at the ministry.

“Our countries are ready to deepen political dialogue at all levels,” Idrissov added, noting President Nazarbayev will visit Saudi Arabia in the fall.

The Kazakh minister also said the countries have great potential for cooperation in economics, agriculture, petrochemical projects, the nuclear industry and defence. “There is broad room for joint investment projects,” said Idrissov.

Adel al-Jubeir reminded that Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan share a common 1,200-year history of the Islamic civilisation with common spiritual values. “Kazakhstan is like a reservoir of our heritage in this part of the world. I would also like to express great respect to your present. Diplomatic solutions of any conflicts and your efforts to provide stability and prosperity within the region outline our vision of the world and we share the same legacy,” the Saudi foreign minister said, adding that he hopes the countries will increase their number of mutual visits and contacts.

Adel al-Jubeir said he was aware of Kazakhstan’s global nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir (centre) during talks in Astana

“We also have a number of initiatives on the peaceful resolution of some conflicts in the region. We support the idea of expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan at the platform of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. We can cooperate in many areas. For example, the Islamic world is to promote the latest technology in the world in order to improve the lives of our young generation,” he said.

The Saudi delegation also welcomed holding the first general assembly of the new Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) on April 28 in Astana.

The IOFS was launched during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Nazarbayev proposed the organisation as a way to share knowledge about agricultural productivity and collectively respond to food crises within member countries. Twenty-four member countries have initiated processes to be part of the IOFS.

“We also have a number of initiatives on the peaceful resolution of some conflicts in the region. We support the idea of expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan at the platform of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. We can cooperate in many areas. For example, the Islamic world is to promote the latest technology in the world in order to improve the lives of our young generation.”- Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir

Spanish FM Talks Trade, Environment in First Kazakhstan Visit

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Trade, the environment and international issues were on the agenda during Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil’s April 24-25 first official visit to Kazakhstan.

“Spain is one of the most reliable strategic partners of Kazakhstan in Europe and in the world. Spanish companies demonstrate activeness on the Kazakh market, increasing civil society contacts, tourist flows and cultural exchange. There are many prospects for cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, agriculture, green economy, telecommunications,” Idrissov said.

García-Margallo met with Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov and participated in the Kazakh-Spanish Business Forum and visited Lev Gumilev Eurasian National University.

The two sides agreed to cooperation on implementing the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EU. They also signed a Green Bridge partnership document.

García-Margallo pointed out that Kazakhstan is an important strategic partner in Central Asia and that the two countries have significant potential to develop economic cooperation and business ties. He expressed support for Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

The parties also discussed Spain’s participation in EXPO 2017, the intergovernmental commission on cooperation in economy and industry, the Kazakh-Spanish Business Council, inter-parliamentary cooperation, the expansion of a legal base, tourism, as well as the possibility of opening a branch of the Cervantes Institute in Astana.

A large business delegation accompanied García-Margallo. The delegation included representatives of major Spanish companies, such as INDRA, MAXAM, INECO, TECNICAS REUNIDAS, EUROFINSA and others. The group participated in the Kazakh-Spanish Business Forum at the Rixos President Hotel Astana.

More than 90 Kazakh companies working in agriculture, construction, architecture, oil and gas, energy, aviation, military and transport participated in the forum.

García-Margallo and Kazakh Minister of Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev opened the event.

The forum’s goal was to support Spanish companies already operating in Kazakhstan and promote other businesses that are interested in the Kazakh market. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Spain in 2015 was $1.44 billion. In 2014, it was $2.74 billion, and, in 2013, the total was $2.34 billion.

The Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce signed an agreement during the forum establishing the Kazakh-Spanish Business Council.

“I am glad that powerful international companies, such as Airbus and Talgo took part in the forum. For us, cooperation with these brands is not only the flow of investment, but also a technology transfer, which motivates our manufactures to improve,” Chairman of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan Ruslan Sultanov said.

García-Margallo also visited a Kazakhstan-Spain joint venture, the Talgo manufacturing facilities (Tulpar-Talgo factory), and attended a graduation ceremony at Eurasian National University, where the Centre of Spanish Language named after Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo was established in March 2015. The initiative to open the centre belonged to the Spanish Embassy in Kazakhstan. It was the first such initiative undertaken by Spain in Central Asia. There is an agreement on cooperation and exchange of students between Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and the Complutense University (Madrid), Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the University of Cadiz and the University of Granada, Lev Gumilev ENU and the University of San Pablo.

“Spain is one of the most reliable strategic partners of Kazakhstan in Europe and in the world. Spanish companies demonstrate activeness on the Kazakh market, increasing civil society contacts, tourist flows and cultural exchange. There are many prospects for cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, agriculture, green economy, telecommunications.”

- Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo (left) signs Green Bridge partnership with Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev

In Focus: Foreign Policy Priorities

EXPO 2017 presented at international tourism exhibition KITF 2016 in Almaty

Nearly 300 tour operators from 31 countries got acquainted with Astana EXPO 2017 at the international exhibition Travel and Tourism from April 20 to 22 in Almaty. The KITF exhibition is the largest annual tourism event in Central Asia, attracting hundreds of tourist companies. During the road show with a presentation of the tourism product portfolio of Astana EXPO-2017, detailed information was presented on the thematic and cultural programme of the expo. (expo2017astana.com)

Welcoming Investment

China - Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan - Iran Route has high transportation potential

Beijing hosted a presentation of economic opportunities of the China - Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan – Iran route. At the presentation, Vice President of Logistics of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company Kanat Alpysbayev noted that currently there are possibilities for the successful use of the joint Kazakh-Chinese terminal at the port Lianyungang, Khorgos - Eastern Gate economic zone. According to Alpysbayev, Kazakhstan has formed an effective rail network and logistics infrastructure and is able to provide the optimal timing of delivery and optimisation of transport costs. During the visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Tehran on April 11, an expanded long-term programme was approved between Kazakhstan and Iran on the use of the transport and logistics potential of the Silk Road. The programme creates competitive tariffs, development of border stations, reduction of time to pass boundaries, organisation of regular container trains in the direction China - Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan - Iran / Persian Gulf / India and in the opposite direction and an increase in the speed of transportation. KTZ is ready to provide comprehensive multi-modal services for China’s business community in development of container traffic through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Iran and the Persian Gulf with the use of logistics infrastructure of the country,” said the representative of the national company. (www.railways.kz)

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Strengthening UN & Int’l Security

Kazakh Embassy in Sweden organises non-proliferation seminar

On April 21, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Sweden with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Denmark jointly with the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) organised a seminar “Kazakhstan: opportunities in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament.” High-profile experts like Tariq Rauf, director of the Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-proliferation Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, as well as Cindy Vestergaard, senior research fellow on International Security at DIIS addressed the audience. The speakers provided a number of cases exemplifying Kazakhstan’s substantial contribution to strengthening international nuclear security. They particularly dwelled on the history of creation of the Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank under the International Atomic Energy Agency aegis. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Dastan Yeleukenov briefed the audience on the initiatives of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to rid the world of nuclear weapons and delivered a short review of Kazakhstan’s non-proliferation and disarmament. The ambassador drew the attention of participants to the Manifesto of “The World. XXI Century,” which calls the world leaders to join efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. Representatives of the Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, expert society and mass media attended seminar.

Hosting Astana Expo 2017

President Nazarbayev hears report on EXPO preparations

On April 27, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired a meeting on preparations for EXPO 2017. He reiterated that organisation and hosting the exhibition must show all achievements of independent Kazakhstan and the capital itself. The President also recalled that last year, for the first time, Astana became a donor to the nation’s budget with 900 billion tenge (US$2.716 billion) allocated. According to him, 75 percent of all revenues to the capital budget are brought by small and medium businesses, which provide half of the city population employment. Reporting on the exhibition preparations, Chairman of the Board of the Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Akhmetzhan Yessimov said that the exhibition has raised 244 billion tenge (US$736.5 million) in investments. Implementation of investment projects has created 5,300 jobs, the chairman said.

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Also In The News...

• President Briefed on textile, pharmaceutical industries during visit to South KazakhstanKazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the work and products of new factories of Chimpharm and Azala Textile during a recent working visit to Shymkent, South Kazakhstan. During his visit to Azala Textile, the head of state was informed about implementation of industrial development programmes in the region, such as the investment programme South (free economic zone) and the key indicators of the functioning of light industry. Nazarbayev noted the development of the country’s production and substitution of imported goods are among the most important tasks of Kazakhstan’s economic policy. At the factory of Chimpharm, President Nazarbayev spoke with employees and congratulated them on opening the plant, wishing successful development and high competitiveness. He stressed that the market for drugs is promising and creates great opportunities for the company as the flagship of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and the whole city. The project of Chimpharm consists of four stages with a total value of 14 billion tenge ($41.7 million), the first of which, worth 5.8 billion tenge ($17.2 million), has already been implemented. The project as a whole will produce 350 million vials of injectable solutions, four million packages of infusion solutions, 40 million bottles of antibiotics and one billion tablets. Chimpharm with 125 years of its history has recently been operating in the market under the Santo brand name following the arrival at the plant of Polpharma from Poland as an investor. (astanatimes.com)

• Broadband internet to reach 90% of Kazakh students within four years, education minister saysIn the next three to four years, access to broadband internet will reach 90 percent of students in Kazakhstan, Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev said recently at a Central Communications Service briefing. The minister stressed that this will ensure massive and widespread implementation of new knowledge and practices as well as alignment of all levels of students and teachers. (ortcom.kz)

• Diplomatic Relations Established with LiberiaOn April 27, 2016 in New York, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Chargés d’Affaires of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations George S. W. Patten signed a joint communiqué on establishing of diplomatic relations between the two states. At the signing ceremony, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as a number of issues of the UN agenda, important for both Kazakhstan and Liberia. Among them are Sustainable Development Goals implementation, environmental protection, healthcare, peacekeeping and post-conflict development. Patten positively evaluated main priorities of Kazakhstan for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018. He also thanked the Kazakh side for its assistance in fight against the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa, which has claimed thousands of lives, as well as for Kazakhstan’s contribution aiming at the implementation together with the UNDP of the Africa-Kazakhstan Partnership for Sustainable Development.

• KADEX 2016 exhibition to showcase Kazakh multiple launch rocket systemThe Petropavlovsk-based Heavy Engineering Plant will present their recent developments at the Fourth International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment KADEX June 2 to 5. In particular, they will showcase the multiple launch rocket system called Broad Spectrum, which ensures the destruction and suppression of point and area targets, manpower and firing weapons at a distance of 10 to 150 kilometres. The complex is equipped with an automated fire control system, digital means of communication, navigation and topographic location, including a satellite. The plant will also present the Ulan hardware guarding system. The system is designed for objects with a perimeter up to 2,000 metres, military units, warehouses and other areas of specialised facilities. (mod.gov.kz)

• Golovkin tops Wade, earns 35th win, extends KO streak to 22Kazakh boxer and EXPO 2017 Ambassador Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (35 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws, 32 knock outs) completely outperformed, out-powered and dominated U.S. opponent Dominic Wade (18 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws), knocking him out in round two in front of his home crowd April 23 at the Forum Arena in Los Angeles. The Karaganda native defended his World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight titles for the 16th time. Golovkin connected on 54 of his 133 punches (41 percent), while Wade landed 22 of 75 (29 percent) (astanatimes.com)

• Astana Opera stages Puccini’s famous ‘Madame Butterfly’One of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas, “Madame Butterfly,” was staged at the Astana Opera April 15-16 within the framework of the Year of Italian Culture in Kazakhstan. Kazakh honoured artists Zhannat Baktai and Aigul Niyazova played the female lead. The part of the lieutenant was performed by Italian opera star and tenor Fabio Armiliato and Kazakh honoured artist Medet Chotabayev. In comparison to other opera theatres, which have partly recreated the main character’s house, lake and landscape, the Astana-based opera house decided to present full-scale decorations, made by Italians Ezio Frigerio and Oscar winner Franca Squarciapino. (astanaopera.kz)

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