A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 446 / FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016

President Tells Diplomats Kazakh, Egyptian Presidents Expand Economic Crisis Poses Cooperation in Astana Opportunities Talks

Nation Celebrates Day of Gratitude, OSCE PA Discusses Refugee Crisis at Notes Ethnic Harmony Winter Meeting in Vienna

In Focus: Foreign Policy Priorities Also In The News Foreign ambassadors gathered for the annual meeting with Nazarbayev

President Tells Diplomats Economic Crisis Poses Opportunities President of said March 2 during “Two-hundred-seventy-five economic agreements totaling his annual meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in the approximately $60 billion were signed during my visits overseas (in country that the global economic crisis also poses opportunities, the press service of Akorda reported. mutual interest in strengthening multifaceted cooperation with our country,” said Nazarbayev. “We have to use this historic opportunity to lay the foundations for Nazarbayev also noted that two months ago the country signed an model. Therefore, I suggested creating a unified Eurasian space,” agreement expanding its partnership with its largest investment and said Nazarbayev. “The interests of all global giants, such as China and trade partner, the European Union, and that it also hopes to increase Russia, the United States and the European Union, India, Iran and its cooperation with the U.S., one of its largest foreign investors. Turkey intersect in this territory. Geopolitical games, mutual economic sanctions and other archaic vestiges of the Cold War have to go into He also said cooperation with Central Asian states is among the past. Building a peaceful, stable, prosperous and economically Kazakhstan’s main priorities and that given Kazakhstan’s close historical and spiritual links with Middle Eastern countries, it is going will be beneficial to all.” to deepen its relationships with them and with the Islamic world. Kazakhstan is also interested in developing a full-scale trade and Nazarbayev called on all states to develop economic, trade and economic cooperation with Iran and will promote the economic and investment coopearation at the bilateral, regional, interregional and social development of Afghanistan. global levels and proposed discussing the topic at the 9th Astana Economic Forum in May. Nazarbayev also emphasised Kazakhstan’s goal to strengthen economic and technological cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region “The integration potential of the Eurasian Economic Union and as well as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. implementation of a joint project with China, the ‘New Silk Road Economic Belt’, will strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as an important The head of state also stressed that Kazakhstan is counting on support business partner and hub in Eurasia. We will actively participate in from the states represented by diplomats for the country’s candidacy development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Kazakhstan for a non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 during the vote in New York at the end of June. and Confidence Building Measures in Asia of the Organisation for Security and Development in Asia,” said Nazarbayev, adding that Ambassador of Russia to Kazakhstan Mikhail Bocharnikov said at the last year Kazakhstan became a full member of the World Trade meeting that the past year was marked by historic events, such as the 20th Organisation, “It will help us to expand our foreign trade and increase anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the Assembly of the investment capacity,” highlighted Nazarbayev. People of Kazakhstan, celebrating the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and the launch of major reforms to modernise the country’s economy as well as the presidential election, which demonstrated to the development and said safe and equable development is necessary international community the unity of the Kazakh people. in the modern world. Speaking about international security, he said: “There is a need for the UN and the Security Council to play a bigger Nazarbayev called on all states to develop role in conflict resolution. The Charter of the should be updated, while undoubtedly preserving the basic principles of economic, trade and investment cooperation international law.” at the bilateral, regional, interregional and global levels and proposed discussing the topic at the He said Kazakhstan will continue its multi-vectored foreign policy and 9th Astana Economic Forum in May. integration into the global economy.

ASTANA ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 446 / 2 Back to Contents C ALLING Kazakh and Egyptian delegations during talks in Astana Kazakh, Egyptian Presidents Expand Cooperation in Astana Talks Nursultan Nazarbayev and President of Egypt Bank, and cooperation in space exploration has significant possibilities, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi agreed to expand the partnership between their he said. The two leaders also declared their readiness to establish countries during talks held while the Egyptian leader visited Astana close cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and Feb. 26. Nazarbayev and el-Sisi discussed bilateral cooperation in Nazarbayev reported that the two countries had agreed to strengthen the trade, economic, agricultural, pharmaceutical, space and atomic their cooperation within international organisations. spheres, as well as infrastructure construction and transport. El-Sisi said Egyptians and the country’s leadership greatly appreciate In statements after their talks, Nazarbayev stressed that el-Sisi the level of bilateral relations between Astana and Cairo. had taken office in difficult times. He commented that he and the Egyptian president had reached an understanding on current issues, “We appreciate the support that Kazakhstan gave us in a difficult and that the two held similar points of view. period for Egypt. The purpose of my visit is to further strengthen close ties between the two countries in all areas,” he said. “We are very glad that in spite of the internal conflicts of recent years, the people of Egypt expressed confidence in the new president. In During El-Sisi’s visit, the heads of state adopted a joint statement while your recent speech in Parliament, you put forward new goals and an agreement on Egypt’s participation in the international specialised objectives that we support. Egypt is one of the biggest countries in exhibition EXPO 2017 and the charter for the Islamic Organisation the Middle East and we want to continue our trustful dialogue on for (IOFS) were signed. The IOFS, created under the economic cooperation,” Nazarbayev noted. auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is to hold its inaugural assembly April 28 in Astana. This was el-Sisi’s first visit to Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev, in his more than two decades as President of Kazakhstan, has visited Egypt Following the meetings in the Akorda, el-Sisi attended the many times. He noted that Kazakhstan and Egypt, despite their Kazakhstan-Egypt Business Council, in which Prime Minister of distance from each other, have great potential for the development Kazakhstan Karim Massimov also took part. More than 100 business of transport and transit links. people from the two countries attended the event to discuss possibilities for partnership in the pharmaceutical industry, , “We support Cairo’s efforts to create a free trade zone with the trade, oil and gas and transport and logistics. Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Kazakhstan and Egypt are important players for the Chinese project of the Silk Road Economic Belt. The potential of our countries creates new opportunities for “We are very glad that in spite of the effective work in this direction,” he continued. internal conflicts, bloodshed and Creating long-term relationships in the agricultural sector is one revolutions of recent years, the people priority Nazarbayev highlighted, pointing out that Kazakhstan is a leading grain exporter, while Egypt is a major importer. Between 2006 of Egypt expressed confidence in the and 2010, Kazakhstan delivered more than one million tonnes of grain new president. In your recent speech in to Egypt, he said. Parliament, you put forward new goals Increasing medical ties was also on the agenda, and during the talks it was noted that about 40 medical drugs and 30 medical products and objectives that we support. Egypt is from Egypt are registered and sold in Kazakhstan today. Kazakhstan one of the biggest countries in the Middle proposed that Egypt open a joint venture for the production of medicine in Kazakhstan. East and we want to continue our trustful dialogue on economic cooperation.” At a joint press conference after the talks, Nazarbayev said the two countries plan to implement a number of investment projects, including building resorts on the Caspian Sea. Cooperation in atomic energy may be on the table in the context of Kazakhstan’s hosting - President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev of the International Atomic Energy Agency Low-Enriched Uranium

Astana ISSUE 446/ Calling ASTANA CALLING / 3 Back to Contents President Nazarbayev gives a speech on Gratefulness Day

Nation Celebrates Day of Gratitude, Notes Ethnic Harmony

Kazakhstan’s inaugural celebration of the Day of Gratitude on Nearly 5.6 million people resettled in Kazakhstan during the 20th March 1 began with a speech from President Nursultan Nazarbayev century, nearly matching the nation’s population of six million. Under highlighting the way the nation’s past has shaped its multi-ethnic Stalin, more than 1.5 million died from starvation and another million present. Members of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan were forced to leave to rescue themselves and their families. (APK), the Nur Otan party, ethnic-cultural union, academic and artistic communities and youth participated in the event. “Thus, our multi-ethnicity was artificially created. We were able to unite all ethnicities into a single, cohesive nation in the new era of The idea for the celebration was enthusiastically supported when independence. Therein lies our strength,” said Nazarbayev. proposed at last year’s APK session. Kazakhstan is a nation of more than 100 ethnicities and 17 religions “Representatives of the country’s various ethnic groups broached the and in world global economic crises and aggravated interethnic and subject of gratitude to each other and to the Kazakh people. Now, social conflicts, the President noted the art of living together in peace along with other celebrations like Labour Day and Family Day, the Day and accord is the country’s most valuable asset. The equality of all of Gratitude is a new date on the national calendar. I am convinced citizens is proclaimed in the constitution and legislation. that this holiday will further strengthen trust, harmony and friendship in our society, which are greatly needed at this present time,” said “It is important to celebrate the Day of Gratitude with special actions Nazarbayev. of charity and support to all those in need. In this regard, it would be good set up a special fund of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, Gratitude has always been viewed as one of the country’s highest with the help of which support would be provided. Public actions to moral values. address socially-significant issues in every village, district, city and region are of particular value,” he said. “In the tragic years of political repressions and deportations of the 20th century, millions of people were grateful to each other for help The head of state emphasised the importance of knowing three and support. This gave strength and ability to survive to people languages – Kazakh (“the state language, the language of the titular deprived of everything, to regain hope and rebuild their lives,” he said. ethnic group which we are teaching in school”), English (“the The day allows citizens to reflect on the lessons from the nation’s language of science, and information technology”) and multi-ethnic past. Russian (“the language of interethnic communication”).

“In the course of the peasant resettlement period of the Stolypin Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan’s welfare, public accord, stability and reforms, 1.15 million people were moved to Kazakhstan from Russia, unity are a pledge of the country’s happy future. Ukraine and Belarus. In the 30s during the period of collectivisation of the former USSR from the central regions, 250,000 dispossessed “Children of the Country of the Great Steppe imbibed the diversity of kulak peasants were exiled here [and] 1.2 million people were sent for cultures, values of different ethnic groups and religions with mother’s the construction of industrial facilities,” he added. milk. Our history and our ancestors taught us this. Ethnic diversity is not a weakness of our country, but its wealth,” said the President. Germans, Poles, Koreans, and those from Northern Caucasus were deported during Joseph Stalin’s regime. Camps were formed “Thus, our multi-ethnicity was artificially for thousands of prisoners, many of whom chose to remain in the created. We were able to unite all country after liberation. ethnicities into a single, cohesive nation “They were unloaded from freight wagons right into the bare steppe in the new era of independence. Therein in the cold of winter. Kazakh families were taking them to their adobe lies our strength.” homes. My family was one of them,” said the head of state. - President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev

Astana ISSUE 446/ Calling ASTANA CALLING / 4 Back to Contents Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

OSCE PA Discusses Refugee Crisis at Winter Meeting in Vienna

Approximately 300 individuals representing the 57 member states our forums by imposing visa restrictions to be fully unacceptable,” he and partners of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in said. “There should be no room for sanctions in politics in the 21st Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) gathered in Vienna, century, since they shatter the . The right to impose Austria Feb. 25-26 for the 15th winter meeting. Held in Hofburg sanctions is an exclusive power of the UN and ought to be applied in Congress Centre, the session included discussion about the crisis of exceptional cases.” migrants and refugees and the situation in and around Ukraine. Tokayev also used the stage to update the audience on his country’s Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who led his initiatives. The Plan of the Nation, which Nazarbayev launched last nation’s delegation, opened his speech by addressing the latter issue, year, outlines 100 concrete steps to implement five institutional reported the Senate press service. reforms.

“The Minsk agreements and the package of measures for its “This comprehensive document implies civil service reform, implementation create an essential framework to solve the crisis. enhancing the rule of law, economic diversification and business It is time for all stakeholders to start acting and refraining from any development, strengthening Kazakhstan’s identity and unity and confrontational rhetoric. We believe that the proposal to set up a creating transparent and accountable government,” he said. “To contact group on Ukraine in the OSCE PA is still relevant today. We support these sweeping reforms, the Parliament has already passed should not let this crisis slide into another frozen conflict,” he said. 59 laws and will consider some dozens more in the near future.”

Tokayev, who heads the Congress of the Leaders of World and Kazakhstan has also scheduled early parliamentary elections to the Traditional Religions Secretariat, extended an invitation to his Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament), reminded Tokayev. Citizens colleagues to attend the parliamentary conference with the theme will vote March 20 among 234 candidates drafted by six parties to “Religions against Terrorism” to be held May 31 in Astana. Terrorism fill the 107 seats and he added the elections will be open and fair in is a global menace and he noted the world must respond with a new compliance with national legislation and international standards. ideology derived from the teachings of its religions. OSCE PA will be sending about 70 observers, noted organisation Secretary General Roberto Montella. “(Terrorism is) a complicated phenomenon poisoning the minds and souls of young people around the planet,” he said. OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental and human aspects, The Senate Chairman welcomed the cooperation among nations according to the “who we are” statement on its website. It therefore regarding unsettled conflicts in the world. addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, “We welcome the agreement between the USA and Russia on the national minorities, democratisation, policing strategies, counter- truce in Syria and urge all the parties concerned to strictly implement terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All participating it in order to protect the fragile situation in the country. Despite any states enjoy equal status and decisions are taken by consensus on a disagreements, we should all unite to combat existential threats,” politically, but not legally-binding basis. he said. “Eurasian security is our common historical responsibility. Addressing the UN (United Nations) General Assembly, our President Approximately 300 individuals representing the 57 of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed establishing a global member states and partners of the Organisation for network to counter terrorism.” Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) gathered in Vienna, Austria Feb. Tokayev charged organisation members with the same duty. 25-26 for the 15th winter meeting. Held in Hofburg Congress Centre, the session included discussion “The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly should act in the spirit of a about the crisis of migrants and refugees and the common political project. We find any policies aimed at blocking situation in and around Ukraine. members of parliaments, in particular their speakers, from attending

Astana ISSUE 446/ Calling ASTANA CALLING / 5 Back to Contents In Focus: Foreign Policy Priorities

Strengthening UN & Int’l Security

Kazakhstan’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York held a side event organised in cooperation with the United States and Great Britain, as well as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Feb. 26 on the topic “Nuclear Security Summit 2016: search of strengthening global nuclear security architecture.” Rapil Zhoshybayev visited Warsaw on Feb.29. He was received by Polish President Andrzej Duda to discuss relevant issues and The event was convened on the eve of the upcoming fourth Nuclear prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as the nation’s participation Security Summit (NSS), to be held March 31-April 1 in Washington in the exposition. Duda noted his country’s willingness to take part in DC. (kazakhstanun.com) EXPO 2017 and expressed confidence that the upcoming exhibition would serve as an effective instrument for further strengthening and To mark the 24th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s membership in the expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two states. UN March 2, the nation’s Foreign Ministry sponsored an exhibit of unique materials from the President’s archives, as well as historic Read full text here: http://www.mfa.gov.kz/index.php/ru/so-y- photographs reflecting the country’s cooperation with the UN and its zha-aly-tar/129-novosti/5938-polsha-podtverdila-uchastie-v- member states in the context of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s ekspo-2017 independence.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev stressed the importance Welcoming Investment of Kazakhstan’s contribution to nuclear disarmament, non- proliferation and nuclear safety, as well as the national commitment to the UN Millennium Declaration and millennium and sustainable development goals.

The event was attended by UN Resident Coordinator Norimasa Shimomura, Presidential Achieve head Boris Dzhaparov, Kazakh Ashgabat served as the host city March 1 for a trilateral meeting diplomats and students from Kazakh universities. of the railway transport ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Issues of attracting additional cargo flow to The same day, “The Astana Times” English language newspaper the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway line, namely from published an extensive interview with Professor Akmaral Russia and several European countries, were discussed in detail Arystanbekova, the nation’s first permanent representative to the within the framework of the meeting. UN. The article provides interesting insight into Kazakhstan’s first steps in multilateral diplomacy and the ambassador’s personal views The agenda also included organising container traffic from China to Iran on the development of the UN through recent decades. through the territories of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. (inform.kz) Read full text here: http://astanatimes.com/2016/03/kazakhstans- first-un-representative-reflects-on-almost-a-quarter-century-of- The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), a subsidiary of membership/ Baiterek National Managing Holding, launched its financing of the comprehensive modernisation project to produce mineral fertilisers at the KazAzot plant in Aktau. The total cost of the project is more than 56 billion tenge (US$161.8 million). DBK will provide 72.3 percent Hosting Astana Expo 2017 of the funds as a loan in the national currency up to 10 years. The project is being implemented under the nation’s 2015-2019 State Programme of Industrial-Innovative Development (SPIID).

The comprehensive modernisation involves expanding the facilities to increase production of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers from 300,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes per year by 2018 and creating a full production cycle - from mining and processing of raw materials to distributing the finished products. The project includes developing the Shagyrly-Shomyshty gas field and constructing a gas piston power plant to recycle ammonia from the tank and purge gases and tower Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the law granulation. Approximately 60 percent of the agriculture and mining ratifying the agreement between the government and Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) on exemptions and concessions production will be supplied to the domestic market; the balance will for official participants of EXPO 2017, the international be exported. specialised exhibition to be held in Astana. (inform.kz) Read full text here: http://www.baiterek.’gov.kz/en/news/ First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and EXPO 2017 Commissioner events/3060/

Astana ISSUE 446/ Calling ASTANA CALLING / 6 Back to Contents Also In The News...

• Voter lists transferred to polls Local administrations have made lists of eligible voters in Kazakhstan’s upcoming Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) and maslikhat (local legislature) elections and transferred them

of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Bakhyt Meldeshov. All citizens of Kazakhstan have the right to vote upon • Kazakhstan supplies locomotives to Azerbaijan, localises reaching the age of 18. So far, 9,840 polling stations have been production opened in the country. (kazpravda.kz) Kazakhsta n’s electric locomotive assembly plant, Electrovoz Kurylys Zauty (EKZ), is implementing a contract to assemble and deliver 50 • Kazakhstan and Moldova to cooperate on visa overstay issues freight locomotives to Azerbaijan Railways before the end of 2018. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has inked a new French engineering company Alstom is a 50 percent shareholder in law, “On ratification of the agreement between the government EKZ, with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Transmashholding of Kazakhstan and the government of Moldova on readmission holding a 25 percent stake each. EKZ is looking to all of Central of persons residing without authorisation,” and the protocol “On Asia and beyond, to Iran, as potential partners, Director General implementation of the agreement between the government of of Alstom Henri Poupart-Lafarge said on announcing the contract. Kazakhstan and the government of Moldova on readmission of The plant employs 400 workers and the company hopes to reach persons residing without authorisation.” (inform.kz) 70 percent localisation of production, Poupart-Lafarge said. He also said that EKZ is expanding into the production of components, • in particular, the release of traction transformers, which can be On March 1, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov met integrated into any rolling stock and should be in demand by with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Alstom enterprises and other producers of electric locomotives. Telecommunications of Serbia Rasim Ljajic in Astana. The sides (primeminister.kz) discussed trade and economic cooperation between two countries and prospects for implementing joint projects in the field of • EU, UN, Kazakhstan announce water management project transport and transit, construction and agriculture. (primeminister. Representatives of the European Union, the United Nations and kz) the Ministry of Agriculture gave a press conference announcing their intention to continue working together to ensure the • availability of water for all while boosting the economy and making Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov held a meeting it sustainable with the joint project “Supporting Kazakhstan’s with Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Patricia Transition to a Model.” The 7.1 million euro project Janet Scotland, who came to Astana on a working visit. The sides is being financed by the EU and implemented by the UN Economic discussed cooperation in the legal sphere and noted the importance Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UNDP, in cooperation of deepening Kazakhstan and the U.K.’s strategic partnership. They with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Committee of Water Resource s. also discussed prospects for cooperation in the framework of EXPO (kz.undp.org) 2017. (primeminister.kz) • Trilingual education provided in more than 100 schools in • Deputy PM talks business reform, agricultural development Kazakhstan with World Bank representative Education in three languages – Kazakh, Russian and English – is First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev now provided at 117 schools in Kazakhstan, said Deputy Minister met with newly appointed Permanent Representative of the World of Education and Science Takir Balykbayev March 2. These schools Bank in Kazakhstan Ato Brown Feb. 29 to discuss World Bank- teach 63,000 students, representing 2.3 percent of the total, he supported projects in Kazakhstan and reforms to improve the informed. According to Balykbayev, the schools provide in-depth country’s position in the bank’s “Doing Business” rating. Sagintayev study of Kazakh, English and Russian, and a number of natural- proposed including Kazakhstan in the bank’s report, “Enabling the scientific disciplines are taught in English. Today, 42 universities Business of Agriculture.” The results of the study will allow the have special English sections, he said. In November 2015, the government to analyse and reduce existing administrative barriers country adopted the Road Map of Trilingual Education till 2020, for doing business in agriculture, as well as add some amendments which stipulates that from 2018–2019, beginning with the sixth to existing agribusiness development programmes. In addition, grade, all schools will conduct classes on the history of Kazakhstan it will help assess the work of central and local executive bodies in Kazakh and on world history in Russian. From 2019–2020, higher on supporting domestic agricultural producers in the regions. grades are to study computer science, chemistry, biology and (primeminister.kz) physics in English. (ortcom.kz) • Second phase of mid-size business support programme launched with expanded coverage Kazakhstan launched the second stage of its medium-sized business support programme, “Leaders of Competitiveness – National Champions.” The candidates for participation in the programme will be presented in April, Chairman of Baiterek Holding Kuandyk Bishimbay ev informed. According to him, the second phase of the programme will expand eligible sectors and focus on larger companies. “It was proposed not to limit the spheres of industry and to include the services sector. In addition, now large companies are allowed to participate,” he said. More than 100 growth initiatives were developed for the 27 companies that took part in the first stage of the programme. It is planned that with its help, in 2018, the companies’ revenues will increase by nearly $492 million, 5,000 jobs will be created, exports will increase by $101 million and import substitution by nearly $191 million, while boosting gross domestic product. Seventy percent of the initiatives have been implemented, including consulting support, financial support, public, and institutional to companies, Bishimbayev said. (primeminister.kz) ASTANA C ALLING A WEEK LY ONLINE PUBLICA TION / W WW.M FA .G OV.K Z Please send comments and questions to pr [email protected]

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