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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 372 / FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

President Addresses Pressing Issues at SCO’s Dushanbe Summit

Idrissov Pays Kazakhstan’s First

Official Visit to Mexico

Senate Chairman Discusses Kazakhstan Strategy 2050

Also In The News

First Deputy Foreign Minister Promotes EXPO 2017 in Moscow

President Addresses Pressing Issues at SCO’s Dushanbe Summit

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President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev laid out what he believes should be the priorities for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during the SCO summit in Dushanbe on Sept. 12.

The heads of other SCO member states, including Xi Jinping of China, Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan, also attended the summit.

Among the priorities he noted were unresolved border issues and economic cooperation in food security between SCO member states. “According to the predictions of the experts, by 2050, the world’s population will reach nine billion people. Whereas, food production in the world in the next 10 years will be reduced due to weather anomalies. Such a perspective favours the reopening of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish a mechanism to ensure food safety and to approve the relevant cooperation programmes,” he said.

Nazarbayev also noted that water scarcity affects regional security and stability and proposed the creation of a water committee to address the issue. The heads of state also exchanged views on the situations in Ukraine and Afghanistan. “A major concern we all have is the situation in Ukraine. The scale of the impact of the crisis has long gone beyond that country. The situation in eastern Ukraine requires immediate action. The only long-term solution to the problem is political dialogue and consensus,” he said.

The SCO members also unanimously supported Russian President Putin’s recent initiative aimed at peacefully settling the Ukrainian crisis.

Nazarbayev also suggested establishing an intra-Afghan dialogue to ensure stability in Afghanistan and addressed the complexity of the current situation in the Middle East.

“Syria, Libya, Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have turned into an uncontrolled source of instability. The region is mired in an abyss of terrorism. Destructive elements are a direct threat not only to regional but also international security,” said Nazarbayev.

Presidents of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states at the recent SCO summit in Dushanbe

In terms of the SCO’s operations, the President of Kazakhstan noted deepening cooperation with observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO and suggested coordinating the national coordinators’ meeting with representatives of the Observer States to the Coordinating Council of the SCO.

The heads of state attending the summit also signed 10 documents and updated the provisions for granting membership into the SCO. These documents will allow the organisation to expand. The leaders also signed the document on cooperation between SCO member states through 2025.

An intergovernmental agreement on the creation of favourable conditions for international road transport and a plan of joint events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II were also signed on the sidelines of the summit.

President Nazarbayev also discussed some of the challenges facing the organisation, including projects and initiatives that are being discontinued. He said the issue of cancelled or discontinued efforts is the result of differing national interests among individual member countries of the SCO as well as a lack of financial resources needed to promote the projects. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that his country would provide SCO member states credit assistance totaling $5 billion to implement joint projects. The assistance would be provided through the creation of a “China – Eurasia” fund for economic cooperation. He said the fund’s initial capital would be $1 billion and that it would later increase to $5 billion.

“In order to strengthen cooperation, China has decided to give SCO member states a loan of five billion dollars to finance joint projects,” said Xi.

Finally, the President of Kazakhstan congratulated President Putin on Russia’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO and wished the Russian side success in the post.

Idrissov Pays Kazakhstan’s First Official Visit to Mexico

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov paid his first official visit to Mexico Sept. 18-19 to strengthen political dialogue, continue friendly relations and to promote economic exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

The visit was at the invitation of the Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico José Antonio Meade Kuribreña.

During the trip, Idrissov met with Kuribreña, participated in the Kazakhstan-Mexican Business Forum and lectured at the Matías Romero Institute.

Idrissov, Kuribreña and their respective delegations evaluated the state of cooperation between the two countries 22 years after establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.

Kuribreña said that despite the geographic distance between Kazakhstan and Mexico, they have much in common. Both countries are leaders in their respective regions, have large territories and natural resources, and they hold similar general development priorities and positions on international issues.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov

In turn, Idrissov noted that: “My visit is the first ever high-level official visit from Kazakhstan to Mexico. I opened the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Mexico, which reaffirms our commitment to enhancing our partnership. We also welcome the decision of the government of Mexico to establish its embassy in Astana next year.”During the ministers’ meeting, the two sides agreed to continue political dialogue, explore increasing trade and investment and promote cooperation between the diplomatic academies of both countries. They also discussed multilateral, regional and global issues.

The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding between their ministries of foreign affairs for a “Mechanism of Consultations on Areas of Common Interest.”

The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and Mexico within international organisations. In this regard, Idrissov thanked Kuribreña for supporting Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2014-2016.

The Ministry of Economy of Mexico also hosted during Idrissov’s visit the Kazakhstan-Mexican Business Forum. The forum was organised by KaznexInvest and ProMexico and was attended by Minister of Economy of Mexico Ildefonso Guajardo Villarrea, Idrissov and representatives of the business communities from Kazakhstan and Mexico.

At the forum, Minister Idrissov provided a brief overview of economic and trade developments in Kazakhstan. He said the country is interested in building partnerships with Mexico in oil and gas, petrochemicals, engineering, mining, metallurgy, chemicals, textiles and food processing, as well as the production of construction materials. He also mentioned the tourism industry and Kazakhstan’s booming car industry.

Idrissov also highlighted Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign economic and trade policy, which is aimed at improving the business and investment climate in Kazakhstan while building a stable and attractive environment around the country.

“Mexico is the second largest trading partner with Kazakhstan in Latin America (after Brazil). Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Mexico increased by 22 percent in 2013 and reached almost $122 million (mostly Mexican products imported to Kazakhstan). There is no doubt that there is room for improvement, and that’s why we are here today. Major exported goods from Mexico to Kazakhstan in 2013 were metal pipes, electric motors and generators, medical equipment, air and vacuum pumps, tractors, cars and other motor vehicles, molybdenum ore, alcoholic beverages, food products and chemical products,” said Idrissov.

He also invited representatives of Mexico’s energy sector to participate in the international specialised exhibition EXPO 2017, which will be held in Astana and focus on future energy.

Idrissov also spoke on Kazakhstan’s market economy, political system and investment initiatives during a lecture at the Mexican diplomatic academy the Matías Romero Institute.

Senate Chairman Discusses Kazakhstan Strategy 2050

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Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Senate Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev discussed implementing the new Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and the role Kazakhstan has taken on in the international community since gaining independence in 1991 at a round-table meeting on Sept. 15.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy during his annual state-of-the-nation address on Dec.15, 2012. The strategy calls on the people of Kazakhstan and its international partners to work toward widespread economic, social and political reforms to propel Kazakhstan into the top 30 global economies by 2050.

“Kazakhstan, led by its leader, President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in a historically short period of time had managed to undergo a path equal to that of a century, coming out of the post-perestroika uncertainty to the forefront of world politics. Now, Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of development: we are talking about a large-scale modernisation of the entire country,” Tokayev stressed in his statement.

Tokayev, who was named speaker (chairman) of the Senate of Kazakhstan on Oct. 16, 2013, previously held the same post from Jan. 11, 2007 to Apr. 15, 2011. He has also been prime minister of Kazakhstan (1999 to 2002) and director general of the United Nations Office at Geneva (2011 to 2013).

The speaker of the senate also stressed that the national concept proposed by Nazarbayev, “Mangilik Yel,” (Eternal Land) will have a special role in the socioeconomic and spiritual transformation of the state.

“This concept contains core values: unity of the people, social stability, inter-ethnic harmony, sustainable development of our country,” Tokayev said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov; chairmen of the Foreign Affairs and Defence and Security committees of the senate and mazhilis (lower chamber of parliament); local officials and heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations all attended the meeting, which was organised by the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations, Defence and Security.

During the meeting, Tokayev also enlightened the diplomats on measures taken to implement the long-term mechanisms of the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and mentioned Kazakhstan’s role in addressing pressing international relations issues and foreign policy priorities.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (left), Chairman of the Senate Kassym Zhomart Tokayev (centre) and Chairman of the Senate Committee for International Relations, Defence and Security Ikram Adyrbekov at a Sept. 15 meeting

Tokayev stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy methods and stated that the Parliament of Kazakhstan intends to develop cooperation at the bilateral level and within the framework of international organisations.

During the discussions, round-table participants also noted the intense work that has been done over the one and a half years since the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy was launched. Relevant legislation has been adopted and sectoral programmes in many areas of social life have been approved. According to diplomats who were present at the meeting, the strategy represents a unique path for the development of the country, considering the economic crisis and global political volatility.

“Kazakhstan, led by its leader, President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in a historically short

period of time had managed to undergo a path equal to that of a century, coming out of the post-perestroika uncertainty to the forefront

of world politics. Now, Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of development: we are talking about a large-scale modernisation of the entire country.”

-Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Senate Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev

Idrissov also informed the participants of the global initiatives of the head of state regarding foreign affairs in his remarks.

Among the participants in the discussions were Ambassador of Russia to Kazakhstan Mikhail Bocharnikov, head of the European Union delegation to Kazakhstan Aurelia Buchez, Deputy UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan and Director of UN Population Fund Nikolai Botev, Ambassador of Belarus to Kazakhstan Anatoly Nichkasov, Ambassador of France to Kazakhstan Francis Etienne, Ambassador of Pakistan to Kazakhstan Shaukat Ali Mukadam, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kazakhstan Hans Drisser, Ambassador of the U.K. Carolyn Browne and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Ordway.

First Deputy Foreign Minister Promotes EXPO 2017 in Moscow

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First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Commissioner of the international specialised exhibition EXPO 2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev visited Moscow on Sept. 17 to discuss Russia’s participation in EXPO 2017, which will be held in Astana and focus on “Future Energy.”

Zhoshybayev met with Dmitry Chernyshenko, former president of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014, Oleg Safonov, head of the Federal Agency for Tourism and Vasily Nebenzia, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Russia. Together with representatives of the EXPO 2017 National Company, Zhoshybayev briefed the Russian officials on preparations for the exhibition.

At the meeting with Chernyshenko, the parties discussed Russia’s experience preparing for and hosting the Winter Olympics in Sochi. The Kazakh side was interested in the issues of informational support, accommodation of tourists and participants, the organisation of volunteers, security, simplification of the visa regime during the games and many other organisational matters.

Chernyshenko expressed Russia’s readiness to share the best of their experiences in organising such events to provide all possible assistance and support. “Kazakhstan is among the elite of the states that have exclusive experience in large-scale events,” said Cheryshenko. “These are the Asian Games and Youth Games, which are to be carried out. Therefore, I have no doubt that you have all the necessary expertise to host everything at the highest level.” In his conversation with Safonov, Zhoshybayev touched on the potential participation of visitors from Russia during EXPO 2017 and offered to collaborate at the regional level to attract Russian tourists to the exhibition.

The EXPO 2017 commissioner assured him that Kazakhstan intends to create all necessary conditions for a comfortable stay for Russian participants and tourists, and also noted that the majority of foreign visitors is expected to be from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

In his turn, Safonov noted Russia’s interest in cooperating with Kazakhstan in the field of tourism. According to Safonov, Kazakhstan has huge potential in the field of environmental, ethnographic,

sports and other types of tourism that are of interest to Russians. Following the meeting, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and the EXPO 2017 National Company signed a memorandum of cooperation in the Agency for Tourism of Russia. During the talks with Nebenzia at Russia’s foreign ministry, the sides agreed that a broad representation of Russian participants at the exhibition would serve to further strengthen and develop the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Russia.

During the trip, the delegation from Kazakhstan also visited the Skolkovo Innovation Centre, where they were acquainted with the achievements of Russian scientists in the field of high technologies.

EXPO 2017 under the theme of “Future Energy” is conceived as an extensive, integral project that addresses the increasingly important topic of energy from several perspectives, allowing for it to be contemplated as a determining factor in how societies and everyday life function.

The theme of “Future Energy” has a clear objective — exploring strategies, programmes and technologies aimed at sustainable energy development, promoting energy security and efficiency, encouraging the use of renewable energy and guiding visitors through their essential, active role in the design and execution of a plan for energy efficient production and use.

Zhoshybayev has been the EXPO 2017 commissioner and first deputy of the ministry of foreign affairs since 2013.

EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev (left) during a recent meeting in Moscow with Ex-President of the Organising Committee of the Sochi Olympics Dmitry Chernyshenko

Also In The News... • KazakhstantobecomememberofWHOExecutiveBoardfrom

2015-2018Kazakhstan will become a member of the Executive Committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 2015 to 2018. The decision was made at the 64th session of the Regional Committee of the European Regional Office of the WHO, which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, from Sept. 15-18. Malta and Sweden will join the board during the same period. First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development Salidat Kairbekova, who headed Kazakhstan’s delegation, briefed session participants on actions being undertaken through Kazakhstan’s national healthcare development programme, Salamatty Kazakhstan. The delegation also invited UN international experts on motherhood and childhood to visit the country. They are expected to come in November

• KazakhstanwillcelebrateitsfirstLabourDaythismonthIn November 2013, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev established a Labour Day holiday for the country, which will be celebrated every last Sunday of September. The first Labour Day in Kazakhstan is expected to be celebrated with a wave of creative and sporting events in organisations and enterprises across the country. “The celebration will be followed by awarding Enbek Ardager medals to veterans of labour. The newly established medals are for labour veterans across all industries. It is envisaged that the medals will be awarded to those with more than 40 years of experience, including 10 years in industry, as well as people who have achieved top results in the labour force. This festival will be celebrated on Sept. 26, 2014, this year. In the National Museum, we are planning to hold a forum dedicated to the celebration of Labour Day,” said Vice Minister of Healthcare and Social Development Daulet Argyndykov. (bnews.kz)

• Annual“MadeinAstana”exhibitionopensinKulanshiThe Kulanshi Centre for Contemporary Art opened its annual exhibition, “Made in Astana,” on Sept. 11 with the participation of 28 young artists and the support of the city’s Department of Culture.The purpose of the project is to popularise the creativity of young Kazakh artists. This year’s exhibition features more than 70 paintings, drawings, photos and installations in different styles, trends and genres taken from a summer creative competition. The exhibition also includes the thesis works of graduates of the Kazakh National University of Arts and creative works by independent artists. A collection dedicated to the Great Patriotic War is housed separately, as well as art photography and three-dimensional installations exploring the creative quest of modern youth. (astanatimes.com)

• YoungfigureskatertakesbronzemedalinJapanElizabeth Tursynbayeva, Kazakhstan’s young sports hope, took the bronze medal in the fourth stage of the Junior Grand Prix in figure skating in Japan. She won the short programme and took fifth place in the second performance, earning 159.38 points and third place overall. (bnews.kz)

• ChinesetroupetoperformatAstanaOperaArtists from China will perform at Astana Opera on Sept. 25 as part of the Days of Chinese Culture celebration in Kazakhstan. The programme will feature dances with elements of circus arts and song performances ranging from original instrumental compositions to modern electronic music from Xinjiang, as well as rhythm and blues and classical pieces. The performers will also give speeches, perform Kazakh folk songs and play the dombra. A dance troupe from Taiyuan will give an acrobatic dance performance.The Central Folk Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in September 1952. Over its 60-year history, the troupe has collected masterpieces of different nationalities and nurtured and raised generations of talented singers, dancers, songwriters and producers. In total, the troupe comprises some 37 ethnic groups, among them Mongols, Hui, Tibetans, Kazakhs, Uighurs, Miao, Zhuangs, Manchu, Koreans, Han Chinese and many others. The main objective of the troupe is to revitalise and continue to develop the art of Chinese dancing and singing. (astanatimes.com)

• People’sArtistofKazakhstanAymanMussahojaevatoursBrazilAiman Musahojaeva, world-famous violinist and People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, began a concert tour of Brazil on Sept. 12. The concert tour is supported by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Brazil, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and other government bodies of Kazakhstan and Brazil. Concerts are being held in Brazil’s largest cities, including Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. On Sept. 12 and 14, Sao Paulo hosted concerts in the Casilda Becker Theatre and the Decio de Almeida Prado Theatre. A concert in the biggest concert hall of the Brazilian capital, Pedro Calmon Theatre, was held on Sept. 16.The tour will conclude with performances in the Leopoldo Migues and the Imperial Museum Petropolis concert halls in Rio de Janeiro. (mfa.gov.kz)

• AstanabasketballteamtrainsatcampinSloveniaAstana’s professional basketball team is currently training at a camp in Slovenia under the supervision of coach Aleksander Trifunovic and the coaching staff in preparation for the 2014-2015 season.The Astana team won a friendly match 77:60 against Slovenia’s Lasko team on Sept.4. The Astana team also beat Slovenia’s Rogashka team 90:69 on Sept. 10. The team’s young players are gradually being drawn into the team and learning Trifunovic’s philosophy. In the first game, Astana players Dmitry Klimov, Rustem Murzagaliev and Maxim Marchuk showed the results of their hard work in training camp and their desire to move to the next level and win a place on the team. Jerry Johnson and Anatoly Kolesnikov were impressive in the second game and new recruits J’Covan Brown and Rashid Mahalbashich also exhibited skill.eCaptain Rustam Yargaliev is recovering from an injury and is taking part in general training. (astanatimes.com)

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