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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 381 / FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Kazakh, Swiss Presidents Discuss Trade and Ukraine in Astana

Kazakh-US Nuclear Security Operation Marks 20th Anniversary

Also In The News

Poll Finds Kazakhstan Citizens Feel Good About Their Country

Kazakh, Swiss Presidents Discuss Trade and Ukraine in Astana

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President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-O�ce of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Didier Burkhalter discussed with Kazakh o�cials economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and the OSCE’s response to the Ukrainian crisis during Burkhalter’s Nov. 21-22 visit to Astana.

Burkhalter met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. The parties discussed the ongoing Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE as well as signed a memorandum of understanding between the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan and the Federal Department of Foreign A�airs of Switzerland.

During Nazarbayev’s last visit to Switzerland in January, the two men agreed that their countries share the same positions on many global and regional security issues and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation within international organisations.

During Burkhalter’s visit, the presidents discussed the OSCE’s priorities, particularly in terms of establishing peace in the Ukraine.

“This year required considerable e�orts from the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE, especially concerning settlement of the situation in Ukraine and other events [in the world]. Kazakhstan chaired the Organisation in 2010 and [during our chairmanship] the Astana Declaration was adopted. Our country has relevant experience, and we hope that it will be used,” Nazarbayev said.

During the meeting at the Akorda presidential residence, the two leaders also focused on cooperation in trade and economy, investment, education and culture.

Nazarbayev noted that relations between the two countries have great potential for development. He added that in the framework of Kazakhstan’s industrialisation policy, Swiss companies can participate in engineering, pharmacy, chemical and infrastructure construction projects.

Later on the first of day of his visit, Burkhalter met with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. The Kazakh diplomat confirmed that Astana supports the work of the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and appreciates its contributions to solving the problems facing the organisation.

Swiss Confederation President Didier Burkhalter (left) meets with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana

Discussing the situation in Ukraine and the surrounding area, Idrissov stressed that Kazakhstan is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Eastern European country through a national dialogue involving international mediation.

Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York last September, Idrissov stated the position of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in the following way: “It is in our interest that Ukraine remains a sovereign, stable and independent state. Kazakhstan is deeply concerned about the confrontation in which thousands of civilians have died. It has caused deep economic problems and a growing humanitarian crisis. From the outset, we have done all we can to stabilise the situation. Kazakhstan is clear in its belief that any conflict should be resolved peacefully.”

Astana continues providing practical assistance to stabilise the political situation in Ukraine. Within the framework of international organisations, Kazakhstan has provided $40,000 to support the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which has paid special attention to the implementation of agreements to stop combat actions. The special monitoring mission has been acknowledged as a relevant instrument of the OSCE, demonstrating the organisation’s e�ort to respond e�ectively and swiftly to crises.

On bilateral issues, Idrissov underlined that Kazakhstan considers Switzerland a reliable and important partner and is interested in long-term and beneficial cooperation. A high level of confidence in the political sphere was noted between Astana and Bern. The two sides commended dynamically developing bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as cooperation in the political sphere between Kazakh-Swiss inter-parliamentary groups.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of understanding between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

Switzerland is one of the largest trading partners and investors in Kazakhstan. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries was $4.5 billion. Since 2005, Swiss investments in the Kazakh economy have totalled more than $12 billion. Today, more than 40 Kazakh-Swiss joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan.

20-21

President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-O�ce of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Didier Burkhalter discussed with Kazakh o�cials economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and the OSCE’s response to the Ukrainian crisis during Burkhalter’s Nov. 20-21 visit to Astana.

Burkhalter met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. The parties discussed the ongoing Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE. Also a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan and the Federal Department of Foreign A�airs of Switzerland.

During Nazarbayev’s last visit to Switzerland in January, the two men agreed that their countries share the same positions on many global and regional security issues and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation within international organisations.During Burkhalter’s visit, the presidents discussed the OSCE’s priorities, particularly in terms of establishing peace in the Ukraine.

“This year required considerable e�orts from the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE, especially concerning settlement of the situation in Ukraine and other events [in the world]. Kazakhstan chaired the Organisation in 2010 and [during our chairmanship] the Astana Declaration was adopted. Our country has relevant experience, and we hope that it will be used,” Nazarbayev said.During the meeting at the Akorda presidential residence, the two leaders also focused on cooperation in trade and economy, investment, education and culture.

Nazarbayev noted that relations between the two countries have great potential for development. He added that in the framework of Kazakhstan’s industrialisation policy, Swiss companies can participate in engineering, pharmacy, chemical and infrastructure construction projects.

Later on the �rst of day of his visit, Burkhalter met with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. The Kazakh diplomat con�rmed that Astana supports the work of the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and appreciates its contributions to solving the problems facing the organisation.

Discussing the situation in Ukraine, Idrissov stressed that Kazakhstan is committed to a peaceful resolution of the con�ict in the Eastern European country through a national dialogue involving international mediation.

Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York last September, Idrissov stated the position of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in the following way: “It is in our interest that Ukraine remains a sovereign, stable and independent state. Kazakhstan is deeply concerned about the confrontation in which thousands of civilians have died. It has caused deep economic problems and a growing humanitarian crisis. From the outset, we have done all we can to stabilise the situation. Kazakhstan is clear in its belief that any con�ict should be resolved peacefully.”

Astana continues providing practical assistance to stabilise the political situation in Ukraine. Within the framework of international organisations, Kazakhstan has provided $40,000 to support the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which has paid special attention to the implementation of agreements to stop combat actions. The special monitoring mission has been acknowledged as a relevant instrument of the OSCE, demonstrating the organisation’s e�ort to respond e�ectively and swiftly to crises.

On bilateral issues, Idrissov underlined that Kazakhstan considers Switzerland a reliable and important partner and is interested in long-term and bene�cial cooperation. A high level of con�dence in the political sphere was noted between Astana and Bern. The two sides commended dynamically developing bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as cooperation in the political sphere between Kazakh-Swiss inter-parliamentary groups.

Switzerland is one of the largest trading partners and investors in Kazakhstan. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries was $4.5 billion. Since 2005, Swiss investments in the Kazakh economy have totalled more than $12 billion. Today, more than 40 Kazakh-Swiss joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan.

Kazakh-US Nuclear Security Operation Marks 20th Anniversary

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In November 1994, the United States and Kazakhstan completed an unprecedented, highly secret, joint operation to remove approximately 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from a former Soviet nuclear plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk to permanent storage in the United States.

The operation, dubbed “Project Sapphire,” was funded by the U.S. Department of Defence’s Cooperative Threat Reduction (Nunn-Lugar) Programme. This programme helped secure nuclear warheads and fissile materials in the former Soviet Union and ensured their relocation to Russia from Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Kazakhstan’s early decision to become a nuclear-weapons-free state made it a global leader in the non-proliferation movement, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) underlined as it hosted an event in Washington, D.C. to mark the 20th anniversary on Nov.17.

The unprecedented project was made reality thanks to a high level of trust between the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the 42nd President of the United States Bill Clinton. The project laid a solid fundament for Kazakh-American cooperation and later allowed the two countries to shape a strategic partnership between them.

The event at CSIS was symbolically named “Project Sapphire: Twenty Years Later: Cooperative Threat and Lessons for the Future.” Keynote speakers included ex-U.S. senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar. They are best known as co-authors of the “Cooperative Threat (Nunn-Lugar) Programme.” Project Sapphire was implemented as part of this programme, as well as a set of other Kazakh-American projects to eliminate and decontaminate the infrastructure of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons left on Kazakh soil after the nation gained independence in 1991.

Addressing the event, Senator Lugar underlined that President Nazarbayev had listened to the will of the people and took a step that many consider a prominent contribution to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and global security.

Imagine what the world would be like today if not for the courageousness and leadership of President Nazarbayev, asked Senator Nunn. The Kazakh leader’s policy was aimed at ridding humanity of nuclear weapons and strengthening the systems of

Participants in the secret 1994 Kazakh-U.S. effort to secure nuclear material known as the Sapphire Project

non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It has earned Nazarbayev the international community’s acknowledgement and strengthened Kazakhstan’s global leadership in disarmament, non-proliferation and nuclear security, Senator Nunn added.

The event was attended by senior representatives of the Obama administration who twenty years ago engaged in the Project Sapphire, namely Laura Holgate, senior director of WMD Terrorism and Threat Reduction at the National Security Council, and Andrew Weber, former assistant secretary of defence in nuclear, chemical and biological protection.

Holgate shared the memories of her work on Project Sapphire and her first trip to the young, independent nation of Kazakhstan. Project Sapphire defined long-term and consistent cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S., she said, adding that it has resulted in “an impressive strategic partnership” over a range of issues from the economy to green energy.

“The conference’s goal was to not only sum up a certain stage of our cooperation but also define ways to lift it to a qualitatively new level,” said Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kairat Umarov.

Speakers at the event included David Hoffman, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of “The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy,” and Richard Hoagland, principal deputy assistant secretary of state and former U.S. ambassador in Astana. The senior diplomat commented that Kazakhstan, “through its decision to carry out Project Sapphire, earned respect from around the world for its commitment to strengthening global security and for its support for international norms.” He added that “today, Kazakhstan is a leader in the region and a strong partner of the United States [that] continues to set high goals and is taking on a leadership role on the global stage.”

The event was organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to the U.S. along with George Washington University’s National Security Archive with the participation of senior representatives of the Department of State, the Department of Defence, the congress, the intelligence community, business circles, academics, media and the diplomatic community accredited in Washington D.C.

Poll Finds Kazakhstan Citizens Feel Good About Their Country

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The results of a survey conducted by U.K. Market research company Ipsos MORI o�ers some insight into how the citizens of Kazakhstan feel about their rapidly changing country.

The researchers contacted a sample of 1,000 adults aged 18 and older and followed gender, age and location quotas in trying to achieve a representative sample. The 10-question survey compared answers from a similar 2013 study.

“Respondents display an increasingly positive attitude towards their country across the board, demonstrating growing support and consensus for the general direction of their government’s policies,” the researchers found. The vast majority, 90 percent of respondents, feel “fairly positive” or “very positive” about their country, they said, a 4 percentage point increase on 2013. Seven percent reported feeling “neither positive nor negative,” a drop from 2013’s 11 percent. Just 1 percent of respondents reported feeling “fairly negative” or “very negative.”

The young generation was more likely to take a rosy view of things, with 95 percent of respondents under 24 – who grew up knowing only an independent Kazakhstan – saying they felt “fairly positive” or “very positive.” Kazakhstan’s northernmost region was the most cheerful: 97 percent registered feeling “fairly positive” or “very positive,” compared to 83 percent in Astana and 88 to 91 percent in other regions.

Perceptions of the country’s economy saw a 5 percent boost: 75 percent of participants reported feeling “fairly positive” or “very positive” about Kazakhstan’s economic outlook, and just 5 percent of the sample group said they felt “fairly negative” or “very negative” about the economy.

Two percent more people this year rated Kazakhstan as an improving place to live (83 percent saying it’s “a little better” or “a lot better”) while two percent fewer (3 percent) say things have gotten “a little worse” or “a lot worse” over the last 10 years. Forty percent of respondents say life has gotten “a lot better,” a big jump from 2013’s 26 percent.

Respondents were asked to rate road and transport infrastructure, prices of everyday goods, education, policing, overall quality of life, healthcare, the justice system, the respondent’s own standard

Kazakhstan’s Akorda Presidential Palace. A recent poll revealed most Kazakhstan citizens have a positive view of their country

of living, identifying and eliminating corruption, opportunities for individual social progress and job opportunities in Kazakhstan. They reported being only fairly satisfied with these aspects. Only 15 to 32 percent reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied,” while 5 to 16 percent are “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied.” However, “satisfied” or “very satisfied” results went up on all selected aspects by 6 to 15 percent compared to 2013.

Respondents chose the same five positive terms from a group of 17 as last year: “hospitable,” “stable,” “peaceful,” “improving” and “successful.”

Respondents also noted work yet to be done: 88 percent of respondents “support” or “strongly support” actively combating corruption to help to raise Kazakhstan’s international profile. (The new Anti-Corruption Strategy announced by President Nursultan Nazarbayev was adopted by the Nur Otan party on Nov. 11.)

Respondents also supported actively combating social inequality (87 percent), contributing more to combating environmental problems (85 percent) and participating in international trade (84 percent). They do feel secure, however: 67 to 87 percent of respondents said Kazakhstan deals “very well” and “fairly well” with food, water, energy and nuclear security.

Respondents were less enthusiastic about stepping outside the country: 15 percent “tend to oppose” or “strongly oppose” contributing more to resolving international conflict; 62 percent believe Kazakhstan should do more. Fifty-six percent “have never heard” or “have heard, but know nothing” about Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2017-18. Twelve percent “know a great/fair amount about it.”

However, after a decade that included chairing the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), 78 percent of respondents think that Kazakhstan’s global standing has improved and 41 percent say the country’s standing has “greatly improved” in recent years.

The survey results were made public last week by the Eurasian Council on Foreign A�airs, a new Brussels-based think focused on Central Asia’s relations with Europe.

Also In The News... • More Russian banks to enter Kazakh market, says Eurasian

EconomicCommissionMinister of Economy and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission Timur Suleimenov said the number of Russian banks in Kazakhstan and Kazakh banks in Russia will increase during remarks to the Nov. 7 Growth of Financing in Kazakhstan forum in Almaty. He also said only banks complying with Kazakhstan’s legislative standards would be able to enter the country’s market and that Kazakhstan’s banking sector will adapt to ensure that remaining banks are competitive.“Consolidation is underway in the banking sector of Kazakhstan. … from the existing 38 banks today, maybe 20 or 15 will remain,” he said. Suleimenov added that the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a permanent supranational regulatory body of the Customs Union and Single Economic Space, must have common rules for the financial sector. (tengrinews.kz)

• KazakhstanandRussiatoestablishgrainhubKazakhstan and Russia will establish a grain hub to lower grain transport costs, said Minister of Agriculture Asylzhan Mamytbekov during government hour in the Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament). “We believe [a joint grain hub with Russia] is a possible and even profitable project, taking into account the fact that many Russian regions deliver grain from the south of Russia, Krasnodar Krai, Stavropol, with large transport costs,” he said. “We could carry out swap operations: for example, the markets in Moscow and St. Petersburg are approximately equal to Kazakhstan’s consumption market, and we could sell our grain in Moscow and take Russian grain near the Black Sea,” he added. (kazpravda.kz)

• GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeeklaunchesinAlmatyThe Nov. 18-23 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) has launched in Almaty. The week, run in 140 countries, is intended to spark business ideas in young people. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has sponsored GEW in Kazakhstan for two years. According to an EBRD press release, EBRD Kazakhstan Director Janet Heckman said, “Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kazakhstan will look not only at the role of young entrepreneurs, which has also been the focus in many countries, but especially at connecting experienced business people with start-up businesses.” Kazakhstan’s Entrepreneurship Week 2014 will be the largest start-up conference in Central Asia and will include round-table discussions, trainings and breakout groups on challenges facing entrepreneurship. (astanatimes.com)

• GeorgiaandKazakhstan’sPMsmeetPrime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili discussed bilateral trade, investment and transit-transport cooperation during Garibashivili’s Nov. 12 visit to Kazakhstan. At a press conference after the talks, Massimov said: “We reached a consensus on developing trade and economic cooperation. We are interested in the development of promising areas of the economy, such as transport, communication, the agriculture sector, tourism, et cetera.” He also said Kazakhstan is interested in completing construction on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line that will help bring its products to Europe by way of the Caspian Sea and Georgian goods to Central Asia and China. (astanatimes.com)

• EEUconstructionindustrytobediscussedinKazakhstanAstana will host the Eurasian Building Congress, the first major event of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in this sector in early December. The event was organised by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan and will be attended by representatives of construction-related organisations in the EEU.The congress will allow EEU countries to compare notes on economic issues and develop standards for the construction industries in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Participants will also discuss preparations for EXPO 2017, to be held in Kazakhstan. (novosti-ru.ru)

• Kazakhstan’s symphony orchestra performs in Brazil andArgentinaPrime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov attended the sixth Expert 200 Kazakhstan forum on Nov. 14 in Astana and noted the importance of implementing tasks from the President’s recent state-of-the-nation address. “The head of state adopted the decision to allocate money to stimulate Kazakhstan’s economy and its financial stability. We are making reforms together with … the World Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), [and] in cooperation with the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). I think that will allow Kazakhstan to avoid average earnings and attract private investment,” he said. Minister of National Economy

Yerbolat Dossayev discussed administrative reforms in Kazakhstan, stressing the reforms are meant to increase the efficiency of public administration and reduce government interference in business. More than 300 representatives of Kazakhstan’s business community participated in the event and discussed improving interaction between business and government agencies. (astanatimes.com)

• AirAstanapresentsAlmaty–DubaiflightAir Astana presented a new flight from Almaty to Dubai at the H Dubai Hotel in Dubai on Nov. 16. Kazakhstan seeks to utilise connections through Dubai to diversify its economy away from oil and into tourism and trade. In September, Air Astana resumed daily direct flights to the emirate from Almaty after a four-year hiatus. Twenty percent of the route’s traffic comes from connecting flights, higher than the global average of 13 percent. Peter Foster, president of Air Astana, discussed cooperation between Air Astana and Dubai International Airport with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and chairman of Dubai Airports. Foster noted the possibility of implementing Dubai-Astana flights prior to EXPO 2017 in Astana. (thenational.ae, inform.kz)

• KazakhstantobuildradarspacesatelliteKazakhstan plans to build a radar space satellite to strengthen its space remote sensing system (SRSS), said Acting President of Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary Marat Nurguzhin during the Nov.13-14 international Days of Space 2014 seminar in Astana. The project includes developing a space remote sensing system consisting of two optoelectronic devices: high spatial resolution KazEOSat-1 and medium spatial resolution KazEOSat-2, as well as a ground satellite control complex and a ground target system for receiving and processing data. The third unit of the system will be a radar space satellite that can take pictures under any weather conditions, day and night. The project is to be implemented from 2016-2021. (vestikavkaza.ru)

• IlyaIlyinsnatchesfourthworldchampionshipKazakhstan’s weightlifter Ilya Ilyin became a four-time world champion when he won gold at the Nov. 8-16 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Almaty. Ilyin lifted 190 kilogrammes in the snatch and 242kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new world record. Kazakhstan finished third overall in the championship, securing five medals: three gold and two silver. The country’s women took two medals: London Olympic champion Zulfiya Chinshanlo won gold in the 53 kg category and young weightlifter Zhazira Zhapparkul won silver medal the 69 kg category. Among the men, Zhassulan Kydyrbayev clinched gold and Vladimir Sedov silver in the 94 kg category. China came in first overall followed by North Korea. (inform.kz, astanatimes.com)

• PinkFloydshootsvideoinKazakhstanBritish progressive rock group Pink Floyd shot a video for the song “Louder than Words” on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The clip touches upon the environmental problems of the Aral Sea. Its main characters represent two generations: young people who didn’t see the Aral before the 1960s, when its water was used for irrigation, and an older generation who know the sea of decades ago. The video was directed by Aubrey Powell, who has worked with Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Scorpions and Black Sabbath. “Louder Than Words” is from the album “The Endless River,” which was released on Nov. 10. (kazpravda.kz)

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