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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 368 / FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

FM Meets with Southeast Asian Ambassadors, Improves Ties

Kazakhstan’s Aid Efforts Benefit Central Asia and Beyond

Also In The News

Kazakhstan, Bulgaria Boost Relations over Last 12 Months

FM Meets with Southeast Asian Ambassadors, Improves Ties

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Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov met on Aug. 18 with the ambassadors of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accredited in Kazakhstan.

The meeting centred on Kazakhstan’s efforts within ASEAN and preparations for Idrissov’s upcoming visits to the countries of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as Idrissov’s expected participation in the sixth Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Bali, Indonesia and the UN Summit on Small Island States in Apia, Samoa.

The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Van Hoa, the Republic of Indonesia Foster Gultom and Malaysia Ambassador Hidayat Abdul Hamid.

Kazakhstan’s foreign minister shared his vision for strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries and the association itself in multilateral venues, such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM).

In his speech, Idrissov stressed that cooperation between CICA and ASEAN is aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and security in Asia and that successful cooperation would be beneficial to all.

Idrissov expressed his gratitude to the Asian Group Forum Asia - Europe and, in particular, the ASEAN sub-group led by Malaysia for the support of Kazakhstan’s candidacy for membership in ASEM.

The head of the foreign ministry also noted Kazakhstan’s success in attracting foreign investment.

“From 2005 until 2013, the country attracted $183.9 billion of direct investments,” he said, adding that more than $120 billion of the total investments was invested over the last five years. “Even during the global financial crisis, our investment climate and the macroeconomic situation in the country remained stable and credible for the investors.”

Idrissov also reminded the ambassadors about Astana’s preparations for the upcoming EXPO 2017 in Astana and encouraged them to play an active role.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (centre) meets with ambassadors from ASEAN member states

“I would like to use this opportunity to invite you and your countries to participate in EXPO 2017,” he said. “In the near future, invitations on behalf of the administration of [our country] will be sent out to the heads of states of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.”

Idrissov said Indonesia is one of Kazakhstan’s main partners in ASEAN and said there is potential for bilateral trade and investments in power generation, mining, oil and gas, metallurgy, aerospace, telecommunication, engineering, tourism and cooperation in the financial and banking sector.

He also stated that Malaysia is one of the key partners in Southeast Asia. “Considering the friendly and trusting nature of our relationship as well as the important role played by Malaysia in the process of strengthening Asian security, [it is hoped] that Kuala Lumpur will raise their status to full membership in CICA,” he said.

Singapore’s socio-economical development has been actively adopted in Kazakhstan, Idrissov explained. For instance, the Samruk Kazyna Welfare Fund was created on the pillars of the holding company Temasek in Singapore. The head of the foreign ministry also stressed the important role of Thai-Kazakh relations. “We believe the third session of the Kazakh-Thai intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation would greatly contribute to promote Thai-Kazakh relations.”

“I would like to use this opportunity to invite you and your countries to participate in EXPO 2017. … In the near future, invitations on behalf of the

administration of [our country] will be sent out to the heads of states of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

and Vietnam.”- Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov

Idrissov also underlined the importance the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has placed on Kazakhstan Strategy 2050, in which he tasked his government to strengthen the Asian-Pacific vector. In this regard, the head of the foreign ministry also announced he will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia from Aug. 24-28.

Kazakhstan’s Aid Efforts Benefit Central Asia and Beyond

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On Aug. 19, the United Nations marked World Humanitarian Day to pay tribute to humanitarian workers around the world. The day has been celebrated since 2008 to honour those who bring assistance to millions worldwide and celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work.

Today, Kazakhstan is ready to provide humanitarian aid and is already taking confident steps toward promoting peace and security in the region and beyond. Kazakhstan’s largest footprint in addressing the challenges of food security is undoubtedly in Central Asia and Afghanistan, though not limited to this region. The largest donor among the Central Asian states, since 2006, Astana has provided more than $60 million in humanitarian aid, a sizeable share of which has been allocated to Afghanistan and also neighbouring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

From 2009 to 2011, Kazakhstan provided $5 million for projects in Afghanistan related to water supply, infrastructure development and delivery of grain and other commodities. Grain, flour and food products have also been delivered to Afghanistan under UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) procurement programmes, the latter of which considered Kazakhstan one of the most important suppliers of grain to Afghanistan in 2011.

In 2010, Kazakhstan’s government launched a $50 million educational programme for the citizens of Afghanistan. Once completed, the programme will provide 1,000 Afghan students with a chance to receive a higher education in Kazakhstan’s universities. The project will continue until 2019 and until 2020 for those studying medicine. As of now, 836 students from Afghanistan have enrolled in Kazakh universities. The most recent group of students was formed in May 2014, in Kabul. In response to high demand on the Afghan side, the government of Kazakhstan is now reviewing the option to prolong the terms of the educational programme.

On May 22, 2013, Kazakhstan, China and Indonesia jointly prepared a number of considerations related to food security for the deliberations on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in New York. Among other issues, the joint statement of the countries highlighted the need to revisit “the key structural issues that determine global food security,” especially increasing access to advanced research and technology; promoting trade and investment in ensuring food

The UN celebrated World Humanitarian Day on Aug. 19 to honor humanitarian workers around the world

security; and addressing environmental challenges in causing global food crises. Kazakhstan’s aspiration to contribute solutions to UN-wide projects on food security also extends to local Central Asian collaborative initiatives; for example, in the recent establishment of the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID) and in the bid to make Almaty a regional development hub.

Naturally, Kazakhstan wants to systematise its humanitarian assistance and development assistance efforts. The country is now working to create KazAID. The agency is modelled after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and also looks to the official development assistance experience of Japan, Korea and Slovakia as examples.

The government and parliament of Kazakhstan have already started work on the legislation to set up such a structure. A draft bill providing a legal basis for KazAID has been introduced to the parliament and will be considered once the parliament resumes its session in September.

Recently, UN Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Stephen Tull said the initiative of Kazakhstan couldn’t be more relevant to the needs of the region and that the UN and the international community strongly support the country in developing its aid programmes.

According to Tull, Kazakhstan was probably in the top five contributors of assistance in Central Asia in 2009-2011. KazAID is not just humanitarian assistance, as the lines between humanitarian and development assistance are blurred, and there are many areas where Kazakhstan can help with development assistance.

Using Almaty as a UN and KazAID development hub clearly provides synergies that would directly and tangibly benefit the food situation in Central Asia and facilitate coordinated responses to other interrelated developmental challenges.

Kazakhstan, Bulgaria Boost Relations over Last 12 Months

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Ivan Dimitrov, who served as Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Bulgaria to Kazakhstan from 2013 until recently, says that the two countries have increased cooperation over the last year.

“In the grand scheme of things, a year is not much time. But nonetheless, for our embassy, it was a very effective year as our relations have grown because this country has good potential and so does Bulgaria,” he told local press.

Dimitrov said establishing goals for his term is a key priority. “Since my arrival, through my constant contact with the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, in particular with Deputy Minister Alexey Volkov and his colleagues, we have outlined a plan to further promote bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria called Road Map 2014,” he said.

The road map lays out step-by-step plans to develop relations, such as support for the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, a visit by the Bulgarian prime minister to Kazakhstan in 2015 and a visit to Bulgaria in the fall by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov. It will be the first visit by a minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan to that country. A Bulgarian foreign minister last visited Kazakhstan in 2007.

“We have also appointed the first honorary consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Kazakhstan in Karaganda, Anvar Osin, who is an activist, member of Nur Otan party and is well respected among the populace,” Dimitrov said.

Other recent points of cooperation include the two countries’ scientific academies signing a cooperation agreement during the May 22-23 Astana Economic Forum.

Deputy Minister Volkov also recently awarded Dimitrov a Certificate of Honour on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. “I must say [everything] worked out, because both Bulgaria and Kazakhstan are willing to further develop relations based on what we have achieved so far and based on the historical connection between the countries,” said Dimitrov.

Dimitrov hopes that the two sides will increase dialogue on economic cooperation as well.

According to the National Statistics Institute of Bulgaria, trade between Bulgaria and Kazakhstan totaled $104 million, including

Bulgarian exports worth $44.8 million and imports totaling $59.6 million. Of those, Bulgarian exports of medicines were the highest at 20.3 percent and imports were mostly of oil and gas at 86.9 percent.

Kazakhstan in recent years has also become a tourist destination for Bulgarians, and, in the last year, direct charter flights from Astana to Burgas, the fourth largest Bulgarian city, were launched. More than 7,000 tourists from Kazakhstan visited Bulgaria in 2013 and that number is up 40 percent this year, he said.

Bulgaria also now issues one-year visas for Kazakhstan nationals that have previously been issued a Bulgarian visa and have not violated their terms of stay. Kazakhstan citizens who own property in Bulgaria are also now eligible for a three-year visa.

Dimitrov studied at Moscow’s Diplomatic Academy and is fluent in Russian, German and English.

“I was warned about the harsh winters in Astana before coming here and I must say, surprisingly, it wasn’t as cold as I expected. I live on the Yessil River embankment, and I, with my family, would often go down to the frozen river for walks.”

But it is Kazakhstan’s culture that has made the biggest impression on him.

“What has struck me most about Kazakhstan are the close family ties that people have woven and cherish. I admire that and find it [fascinating] that family members help each other and spend so much time together.

“What I’ve seen [here] amazes me. I was amazed by the city [of Astana]. The idea of building a city designed by world-class architects in 17 years truly impresses me. … I am sure that Strategy 2050, Kazakhstan’s plan to propel itself onto the list of the 30 most-developed countries by 2050, will be realised if the country maintains its current mindset and trajectory.”

Former Charge d’Affairs of Bulgaria to Kazakhstan Ivan Dimitrov

Also In The News... • Canada,Kazakhstanlaunchnuclearcooperation

Kazakhstan and Canada on Aug. 15 launched the implementation of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, which will allow Canada to export nuclear technology to Kazakhstan. The agreement allows Canadian companies to export nuclear materials for peaceful uses in accordance with Canada’s nuclear nonproliferation policy, a government statement said. It is also expected to facilitate joint commercial ventures and research and development.Canada, which exports nearly $916.8 million worth of uranium annually, recently signed similar deals with China, India and the United Arab Emirates. (bnews.kz)

• PossibilityoffreetradezonebetweenCU,SESandEgyptdiscussedinMoscowThe Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission met in Moscow on Aug. 15 and discussed the development of the Customs Union (CU) and the Single Economic State (SES), including deciding to exempt aircraft of up to 90 seats from customs duty in Kazakhstan from 2015 through 2017 and agreeing to develop national labelling practices for light industry products. Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev took part in the meeting. Participants also discussed the feasibility of a free trade zone between the member states of the CU and SES and Egypt. Following the meeting, the council approved the procedure for creating and maintaining the register of legal entities engaged in the production of motor vehicles and models. (primeminister.kz)

• SCOmemberstatestoholdanti-terrorismdrillsinChinaMore than 7,000 troops from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and China will take part in anti-terrorism drills in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from Aug. 24-29. Peace Mission 2014 is being organised through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) agreement and the 2014 National Armed Forces training project. Kazakhstan will be represented at the drills by the Combat Battalion of its Airmobile Forces. The drills will also use AN 72, SI 295 and SU 27 airplanes from the Kazakh air force. Three-hundred-seventy Kazakh soldiers and five Kazakh aircraft will be used during Peace Mission 2014. The soldiers have already arrived at the Zhurihe training base where the drill is to begin and the organisation of the drill has been negotiated. Uzbekistan is the only SCO member not participating. (inform.kz)

• SagintayevandShuvalovdiscussexportofKazakhstan’sgoodstoRussiaFirst Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev met with First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov on Aug. 14 in Moscow to discuss issues related to the participation of Kazakhstan’s enterprises in Russia’s import substitution programme, the application of the TIR Convention within the Customs Union and Kazakhstan’s exports of food products to Russia. The import substitution programme invites about 60 companies from Kazakhstan to supply the Russian market with machine-building, mining, pharmaceutical, light industry, wood and construction products. Sagintayev noted that more than 20 companies from Kazakhstan are also ready to supply flour, rice, buckwheat, onions, canned vegetables, honey and confectionery to Russia. (primeminister.kz)

• SenateelectiontobeheldinOctoberPresident Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan has set Oct.1, as the date of Kazakhstan’s next Senate election, the country’s eighth since achieving independence in 1991. Eighty candidates, including four women, have registered with the Central Election Commission as of Aug. 13, 65 self-nominated. The election was announced on Aug. 1, and nominations for the 16 available Senate seats will be made from Aug. 2-31. Registration of candidates will run until Sept. 11 and campaigns will be conducted from Sept. 12-29. (astanatimes.com)

• SeminaraddressesdevelopmentofalternativeenergyinKazakhstanandtheworldThe international seminar, “Energy for the future: energy efficiency,” was held in Almaty on Aug. 18 in the context of promoting and developing the international exhibition, EXPO 2017. At the seminar, representatives of the scientific community, international experts in energy efficiency and representatives of Kazakh energy companies focused on problems in applying government policies on energy conservation and energy efficiency in various sectors of the economy. They also discussed measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energy sources. The event also discussed issues of environmentally friendly transport, energy-efficient construction

standards and the development of small wind turbines in the context of the energy charter of the Kazakhstan-EU 2020 policy and Kazakhstan’s legislative framework regarding energy conservation and efficiency. (expo2017astana.com)

• Kazakhstan’sCentreofPeaceandAccordtoopeninLondonKazakhstan’s Centre of Peace and Accord in London will be officially opened with a ceremony on Aug. 26 in the U.K. capital.According to the press service of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK), the opening of the centre is designed to promote the Kazakh model of inter-ethnic tolerance and social harmony in Europe. The centre will focus on developing scientific and educational clusters; providing grants for culture, language and education projects; involving British business in science and technology and research projects and exchanging experience between the two countries’ leading universities. (strategy2050.kz)

• HeadofSenateofKazakhstanreceivesBritishambassadorHead of Kazakhstan’s Senate, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, received Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kazakhstan Carolyn Brown at her request. The two discussed topics of international interest, with Brown expressing concern at the continuing escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Tokayev noted the efforts of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to find solutions to the crisis, which has become a serious problem with far-reaching consequences. Tokayev called for further development of contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries. (tengrinews.kz)

• WaterPoloWorldCupkicksoffinAlmatyThe FINA Men’s Water Polo World Cup has begun in Almaty, with Almaty Mayor Akhmetzhan Yessimov kicking off the event. The world’s eight strongest teams will vie for the prestigious trophy. The FINA Water Polo World Cup, which has competitions for men and women, is a six-day event organised every four years. Eight teams are selected according to previous World Championships classifications (for the first three) and continental championships (for the remaining five, the host country being the representative of that continent). (inform.kz)

• KazakhstantakesbronzeatWorldChessOlympiad,goldatJuniorChessTournamentKazakhstan’s Women’s Chess Team and International Master Gulmira Dauletova achieved success at the recent 41st World Chess Olympiad held in the Norwegian city of Tromsø. Dauletova won the brozne among players who played at the fifth back-up board and placed sixth overall. The team finished in sixth place, the most successful World Olympiad for Kazakhstan’s chess players. The team included Dauletova, Dinara Saduakassova, Guliskhan Nahbaeva, Zhansaya Abdumalik and Madina Davletbayeva. More than 2,000 players from around the world participated in the Olympiad. Ten-year-old Bibisara Asaubaeva brought another victory, taking gold at the 13th Junior Chess Championship in Dubai. (astanatimes.com, vesti.kz)

• ToolsandhouseholdgoodsuncoveredatBotaysettlementResearchers from the National Museum of Kazakhstan have found large, well- preserved bi-treated flint knives, ground and polished stone axes, spears, arrows and darts and engraved phalanx at the Botay settlement excavation site in northern Kazakhstan. The artefacts date back to 4,000-3,000 B.C. and are important examples of the use of tools and weapons by Bronze Age peoples of the Kazakh steppes. Researchers at the settlement have also found numerous horse bones, which were used by the Botay people to make tools, weapons and household and worship items, as well as to reinforce clay walls. (astanamuzei.kz)

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