U.S., Kazakh Experts Call for Stronger Ties, U.S. Presidential Visit
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+20°C /+12°C WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 No 17 (60) www.astanatimes.com President of Iran Advances Economic UN General Assembly Ties on Visit to Astana Renews Calls for Nuclear Test Ban tions, other officials and civil so- By Tolegen Issatayev ciety activists participated in the event. NEW YORK – Top UN lead- In 2009, the UN General As- ers, ambassadors from dozens of sembly unanimously passed a countries and a delegation from resolution proclaiming Aug. 29 East Kazakhstan renewed calls International Day Against Nu- for a total ban on nuclear-weapons clear Tests. Aug. 29 is the day in testing at a special session of the 1991 when the President of Ka- UN General Assembly observing zakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the International Day Against Nu- shut down the Soviet nuclear clear Tests on Sept. 10. test site at Semipalatinsk in east- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- ern Kazakhstan by his decree. It moon, First Deputy Akim (Gov- also marks the date in 1949 that ernor) of East Kazakhstan oblast the Soviet Union tested its first Yermek Kosherbayev, UN High nuclear weapon at the site, a test Representative for Disarmament followed by 455 more over the Affairs Angela Kane, permanent following four decades. representatives to the United Na- Continued on Page A3 Kazakhstan, Qatar to Implement Joint Project to Help Nuclear Test Victims By Artur Abubakirov President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev (l) and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani in Astana on Sept. 9. According to the document, the foundations will cooperate in such DOHA – Kanat Saudabayev, Di- areas as culture, education, health- arbayev. The parties negotiated in economic matters, energy, in- and Iran have evolved steadily and rector of the Nursultan Nazarbayev care and social development. By Malika Orazgaliyeva avenues to develop and strengthen frastructure development, agri- today cooperation between the two Foundation for Culture, Education Saudabayev presented his coun- Kazakh-Iranian cooperation and culture and transport and transit. countries has great potential for and Social Programmes, and Dr. terpart with a project to construct Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Murai- ASTANA – President of the oversaw the signing of a number The heads of state also exchanged development. He added that Ka- a rehabilitation centre in Semey zakhstan considers Iran one of its khi, Director General of the Qa- for victims of nuclear tests at the Islamic Republic of Iran Has- of agreements. views on issues on the internation- most important partners, both in tar Development Fund, signed a Semipalatinsk test site and those san Rouhani paid an official visit During the meeting at the Akor- al agenda. the world and in the Caspian re- memorandum of understanding affected by radiation in one way or to Kazakhstan on Sept. 9 to meet da presidential residence, the two The Kazakh head of state noted gion. and cooperation on Sept. 4 be- another. with President Nursultan Naz- leaders focused on cooperation that relations between his country Continued on Page A8 tween the two foundations. Continued on Page B2 U.S., Kazakh Experts Kazakhstan, EU Close to Completing Call for Stronger Ties, Talks on New Partnership and U.S. Presidential Visit Cooperation Agreement By Daniel Massow Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at technological and cultural coop- trade investors in Kazakhstan,” he interests, but also on shared values, the School of Advanced Internation- By Malika Orazgaliyeva eration. said. on mutual understanding, mutual WASHINGTON, DC – Against al Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins “We have 29 areas of coop- Participants in this eighth round respect and mutual benefit. It should the background of a changing geo- University; S. Enders Wimbush of ASTANA – Senior officials and eration, including such important of negotiations noted that major provide a solid basis for taking Ka- political environment in Eurasia StrateVarious LLC; Professor Bulat diplomats from Kazakhstan and chapters as economy, trade and work in the negotiating process zakhstan’s cooperation with the EU and the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. Sultanov, director of the Kazakh- the European Union held what is investments. The agreement does had brought good results. countries to a higher level,” Idrissov troops from Afghanistan, U.S. and stan Institute of Strategic Studies expected to be the final round of not mean a free trade area, but A key element of the new agree- said on Sept. 10 at a meeting with Kazakh experts have called for more under the President of Kazakhstan; negotiations on a new enhanced nevertheless, it is a substantial ment, according to Kazakh For- Wiegand at the Foreign Ministry. structured relations between Wash- Dr. Askar Nursha of the Institute of Partnership and Cooperation update for the economic relations eign Minister Erlan Idrissov, is a During the talks, Kazakhstan ington and Astana and a visit by the World Economy and Politics; and Agreement (PCA) between Ka- of Kazakhstan and the European modernised trade and investment and the EU also agreed that in ad- U.S. president to Kazakhstan as key Dr. Fatima Kukeyeva of Al-Farabi zakhstan and the EU in Astana Union,” Gunnar Wiegand, the Eu- section that takes into account the dition to the new agreement, which measures needed to further strength- Kazakh National University. from Sept. 9-12. ropean External Action Service development of the Customs Un- will form the legal basis for coop- en the dynamically developing and During extensive discussions, the The PCA is meant to provide a (EEAS) director for Eastern Part- ion and the Eurasian Economic eration, “road maps” and sectoral wide-ranging partnership. scholars set forth a number of spe- framework for political dialogue nership, Russia, Central Asia Re- Union, as well as Kazakhstan’s agreements to deepen cooperation U.S. and Kazakh analysts ad- cific measures to further strengthen between the parties, supporting the gional Cooperation and Organisa- eventual accession to the World in specific areas might also be de- dressed a high-level audience on mutually beneficial cooperation be- development of political relations, tion for Security and Cooperation Trade Organisation (WTO). veloped. Idrissov noted that Asta- Sept. 8 at Johns Hopkins University tween Kazakhstan and the United trade and investment ties in order in Europe (OSCE) countries, told “The new agreement will be na attaches particular importance in Washington, D.C., to present the States, including through increasing to foster sustainable economic the media following the talks in comprehensive. It will reflect the to the development of cooperation report, “Looking Forward: Kazakh- the number of high-level visits. Rep- development. It also provides the Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign existing mature and equal partner- in innovations, science, education stan and the United States.” resentatives of the U.S. State De- basis for legislative, economic, Affairs. “In addition, European ship between Kazakhstan and the and competitiveness. A team of six authors, three from partment, top-level officials, public social, financial, civil, scientific, Union companies are the largest EU, based not only on common Continued on Page A3 the U.S. and three from Kazakhstan, figures and experts, as well as rep- prepared the report. Members of the resentatives of major media sources, team included Dr. S. Frederick Starr attended the launch of the report. and Dr. Svante E. Cornell of the Continued on Page A8 Promoting Dialogue of Religions When It Is Needed Most Ever since Kazakhstan convened the first Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in New Law on Rural 2003, the country has been push- ing forward with promoting this new format of dialogue of reli- Cooperation to be gious leaders. In 2006, 2009 and 2012 it hosted the subsequent con- gresses and is now preparing for the fifth one in 2015. To do that, Finalised this Year the Secretariat of the Congress has been meeting regularly and its next ricultural activities in the country. By Doszhan Nurgaliyev Kazakhstan’s agricultural in- session is now due to take place at dustry is currently very underde- the Palace of Peace and Harmony On President Nursultan Naz- veloped despite the country’s vast on Sept. 17-18. To learn more of arbayev’s instructions, the govern- amounts of arable land, quality the work of the Congress and of ment of Kazakhstan will finalise a production facilities, strong work- the views of its participants from new law “On Rural Cooperation” force, ample state support and various religions, read our special this year. The bill will provide the deep resources. report “Dialogue of Civilisations” legal framework for governing ag- Continued on Page A4 on Pages B4-B5. INSIDE EURASIA & WORLD ECONOMY & BUSINESS EDITORIAL OPINIONS NATION & CAPITAL In Astana, Canadian MP Sees Great U.S. Congressmen Want Ties with Kazakhstan Staying Competitive in a Toughening External IDRISSOV: Of Land- and Sea-Lockedness, “Birzhan-Sara” to be Performed at Silk Road Opportunities for Investment and Partnership A3 Strengthened A4 Environment A6 and the Pursuit of Happiness A6 Festival B1 Pavlodar Hosts EBRD Workshop on Benefits AMANZHOLOVA: Kazakhstan Optimistic New Talent-Management Principle Seeks to of Consulting for Entrepreneurs A5 about Progress at Upcoming Train More Effective Civil Servants B1 Caspian Summit A7 US$ 1 = 181.95 KZT 1 Euro = 235.12 KZT 1 Rouble = 4.78 KZT A2 NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 NATIONAL President Nazarbayev Opens New Session NEWS IN BRIEF “A national council for literature and art and an intersectoral arts council will soon be established,” of Parliament, Lays Out New Priorities said Vice Minister of Culture and tention to the development of the Sport Askar Buribayev at a Sept. By Zhanara Abdulova agro-industrial complex. In his 10 briefing following a govern- and Malika Orazgaliyeva words, the development of agri- ment meeting. “In hoping to trans- culture requires legislative sup- form the industry, we will set up a ASTANA –President Nursultan port.