Bahraini King Pays First Visit to Astana, Political and Commercial Ties
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+9°C / -3°C WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 No 8 (51) www.astanatimes.com Bahraini King Pays First Visit to PM Massimov Visits Russia, Discusses Draft Astana, Political and Commercial Treaty on Eurasian Ties Expand Economic Union By Artur Abubakirov in the lead up to the meeting of presidents and a session of the Su- ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Min- preme Council in Minsk at the end ister Karim Massimov met with his of April. counterparts from member states “In particular, the parties dis- of the Customs Union (CU) and cussed a number of issues relating Common Economic Space (CES) to the oil and gas industry, agri- on April 15 in Moscow to discuss culture, road and rail communica- the ongoing process of Eurasian tions,” the Kazakhstan Prime Min- economic integration. ister’s office reported. During the meeting, Prime Min- “Today, we have discussed all isters Massimov, Dmitry Medve- disputable issues and after final- dev of Russia and Mikhail My- ising the document will be ready asnikovich of Belarus discussed for signing by the heads of state,” deepening Eurasian economic Massimov said at the press confer- integration, as well as reviewed ence after the meeting. preparation of the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) Continued on Page A8 Astana, London Sign Agreements on Cargo Transit from Afghanistan By Rufiya Ospanova signed agreements on the transit of British cargo through the territory ASTANA – Britain’s Senior of Kazakhstan. The documents, re- Minister of State for Foreign and quiring ratification in Kazakhstan, Commonwealth Affairs Baron- are of great importance for the effec- President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan (l) and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain in the Ak Orda residence discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ess Sayeeda Warsi visited Astana tive and timely withdrawal of British relations. April 14-15 for high level and wide troops from Afghanistan this year. By Malika Rustem King was welcomed on arrival Orda residence on April 14 to dis- “During the short time Bahrain ranging talks with Kazakhstan of- “The withdrawal of troops does not in Astana by Kazakhstan’s Dep- cuss ways to strengthen bilateral has turned into an advanced indus- ficials, resulting in the signing of mean the end of our involvement in ASTANA – King Hamad bin bilateral agreements expanding the uty Prime Minister and Minister relations. The two leaders also dis- trial state. Your country is known Afghanistan,” Baroness Warsi said in Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain paid his legal basis for British military-re- an exclusive interview with The Asta- of Industry and New Technolo- cussed trade and investment. around the world as one of the big- first official visit to Kazakhstan on gest financial centres in the world lated transit from Afghanistan. na Times after the talks as she sought gies Asset Issekeshev and other In his opening remarks, the April 13-15. and the homeland of the Islamic Following talks with Foreign Min- to reaffirm London’s continued com- Accompanied by a high-level senior officials. President said Bahrain is one of Bank,” the President said during ister Erlan Idrissov at the foreign mitment to the region and to the stabi- delegation of more than 200 of- President Nursultan Nazarbayev the most important partners for the meeting. ministry, Baroness Warsi and Dep- lisation of the situation in that country. ficials and business leaders, the welcomed King Hamad in his Ak Kazakhstan among the Arab states. Continued on Page A3 uty Foreign Minister Alexey Volkov Continued on Page A8 Twenty Years of Evolving President Stresses Importance ADB Support for of Maintaining Inter-Ethnic Economic Growth Unity in Country plementation of the Kazakhstan ships with key neighbours Russia By Blaise Hopkinson and Jan Furst 2050 Strategy, which the President and China. ASTANA – Stressing the impor- said “reflects the wisdom of our He declared that “today, Ka- in Kazakhstan tance of maintaining inter-ethnic great multiethnic nation.” zakhstan and Russia are good By Jan Furst as helping nations prepare for the tor lending activities paused as oil unity in the country and Kazakh- He added the strategy reflects neighbours, allies and strategic impact of climate change and bet- revenues filled the government’s stan’s close ties with neighbours the principles of the country’s partners.” ASTANA – The Asian Develop- ter manage their natural resources. coffers and the need for external fi- Russia and China, President Nur- unique culture of peace and spir- The President also underscored ment Bank (ADB) works in de- ADB assistance comes mainly nance declined. However, the global sultan Nazarbayev told delegates itual accord. this year’s 60th anniversary of the veloping countries in Asia and the through loans, grants, policy dia- economic crisis in 2007 prompted at the April 18 opening of the 21st Held at the Palace of Peace and beginning of the Virgin Lands pro- Pacific region to alleviate poverty logue, technical assistance and the government to once again access Accord, the opening ceremony pro- gramme: “We commemorate all and support sustainable growth. Assembly of the People of Ka- equity investments, Westfall said. external concessional resources, and zakhstan that while Kazakhstan vided a rich visual spectacle with who worked to raise the harvests Country Director Matthew West- The bank provided about $21.57 our activities quickly picked up. We did not choose its neighbours, it many of the delegates attired in the of cereal and building of grana- fall spoke with The Astana Times billion in financing across the Asia responded with a $500 million coun- can choose to maintain excellent traditional costumes of their ethnic ries in the country. I congratulate about what the ADB stands for and and Pacific region in 2012. all those who built infrastructure ter cyclical loan, followed by sup- relationships with them. origins and regions of Kazakhstan. its role and objectives in Kazakh- “The end game for us is a region port for operations in road transport, in harsh environments and barren “That is why there will always be The Assembly is bringing under stan. where our developing member small and medium-sized enterprise steppe.” a close relationship with our neigh- one umbrella the activities of more “The ADB was founded in 1966, countries have been able to evolve development and the private sector. “Today, more than 300,000 of our bours,” the President said in his than 820 ethnic and cultural organi- driven by a desire to improve peo- and graduate into thriving, modern More recently, the ADB and Ka- citizens are Ukrainians. Ukrain- opening remarks, attended by hun- sations from across Kazakhstan. ple’s lives in developing Asia and economies that are well integrated zakhstan jointly launched an inno- ian soil is strewn with many holy Turning to Central Asian affairs, the Pacific,” Westfall explained. with each other and the world,” vative knowledge and experience dreds of leading figures represent- remains of thousands of Kazakhs, The organisation’s headquarters said Westfall. exchange programme, which aims ing Kazakhstan’s ethnic diversity. President Nazarbayev noted that who heroically died in the battles for are in Manila, Philippines and its Following is a question and an- to help the country diversify its Founded by President Naz- the state of international affairs Ukraine’s liberation from fascism. mission in Kazakhstan is one of 28 swer with Matthew Westfall. economy and achieve more equita- arbayev in 1995, the Assembly is underlines the need for Kazakh- such offices around the region. ble and sustainable growth. playing an integral role in the im- stan to maintain positive relation- Continued on Page A2 “In partnership with our devel- What are the ADB’s main ob- Our country partnership strategy oping member countries and other jectives in Kazakhstan? Since for 2012-2016 has been designed stakeholders, we try our best to 1994, what have been the most to help make the economy more target resources effectively, with significant projects the ADB has competitive and diverse in order to a sharp focus on alleviating pov- supported in Kazakhstan? sustain growth and create jobs, de- erty and helping create a world in The ADB’s partnership with Ka- fining a new development partner- which everyone can share in the zakhstan began after the collapse ship that is relevant and responsive benefits of sustained and inclu- of the Soviet Union and has been to Kazakhstan’s goal of transition- sive growth. It’s a big task, fraught underway for 20 years. In the early ing to a high-income country. with challenges, but we carry on years of this partnership, the ADB Our public sector lending op- important development that strives provided much-needed support erations are increasingly selective, to make the world a better place,” in agriculture, education, finance focusing on modernising infra- Westfall said. and delivery of social services to structure and utilities and improv- The ADB does this through in- help the country’s transition from ing access to finance for small and vesting in infrastructure, health a centrally-planned economy to a medium-sized enterprises. care services, financial and public free market system. administration systems, as well By 2004, the ADB’s public sec- Continued on Page A4 The Assembly is playing an integral role in the implementation of the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy. 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