4 The Japan Times Monday, December 16, 2013 independence day Kazakhstan’s dramatic development over two decades

Erlan Idrissov growth on the environment. foreign minister of kazakhstan We are strongly committed to sustainable growth policies. We Located on China’s western bor- also remember that the Soviet der, Kazakhstan is geographical- Union’s disregard for the results ly distant from Japan, but rela- of nuclear testing led to negative tions continue to become closer outcomes. as our bilateral trade grows at a Like Japan, but in a different very healthy rate. our ties are way, we have suffered greatly developing as part of Kazakh- from the effects of nuclear stan’s increasing focus on asia weapons. one of President in response to the rising politi- Nazarbayev’s first decrees was cal and economic weight of the to close the nuclear testing site region. at Semipalatinsk where 450 Japan is an important prior- nuclear tests took place over 40 ity for us and we see excellent years, causing suffering to an es- opportunities for the further timated 1.5 million people. Ka- expansion of the relationship, zakhstan then voluntarily gave particularly in the area of the up its massive nuclear arsenal, economy. Japanese technology the world’s fourth largest, and is going to play an important role began to work tirelessly with in the industrial modernization other nations to destroy exist- of Kazakhstan. For example, we ing nuclear weapons and to ban see excellent prospects for using their manufacture. Japanese technologies for en- In 2009, in recognition of Ka- ergy- and water-saving. zakhstan’s contribution to non- Before describing our rela- proliferation, the United Nations tions further, it is important to declared aug. 29 — the day we give Japanese readers a flavor shut down Semipalatinsk — In- of Kazakhstan and the dramat- ternational Day against Nuclear ic development that we have Tests. experienced over the past two Kazakhstan is home to over decades. Since we are a relative 130 ethnic groups with dozens of newcomer to the international religions that coexist peacefully, scene, it is hardly surprising a feature of our history but also that people know less about us Multilateral cooperation: Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan a reflection of our commitment and our country compared to Idrissov speaks during the general debate Sept. 27 of the 68th to interethnic and interreligious others. session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. concord. Contemporary view: In a short period of time, the capital of Kazakhstan Astana has become one of the new centers of I often have to point out that Headquarters in New York. Embassy of kazakhstan We have continued that tradi- international diplomacy. It hosts summits and major events of a global scale. Embassy of kazakhstan we are the largest landlocked tion by convening international country in the world located on economy that is a generator of knowledge economy. congresses of religious leaders in asia to manage the diverse country’s long-term prosperity. ridor linking China with Europe creating an enhanced framework a territory five times the size of stability and growth in central Kazakhstan’s economy is the and working closely with inter- security challenges facing the As the largest landlocked and are part of the project to for cooperation in areas such as France. We have a population of Asia. Our commitment to social, largest in central asia and its national organizations. In 2010 region. These threats range from country in the world, we have a build a 8,445-km modern high- peacekeeping and democracy, 17 million people and are rich in political and economic reform growth rate is among the highest we chaired the Organization for proliferation of weapons of mass strong interest in having the best way linking Western China with the economy, intraregional co- natural resources, including oil. has made us a key ally and trade in the world. Thanks to our com- Security and Cooperation in Eu- destruction to separatism, ter- possible access to global mar- Western europe with nearly operation in the central asia We are descended from nomads partner with Europe, the United mitment to the rule of law and rope and hosted this body’s first rorism and extremism, disputes kets, including to our south. The 2,800 km passing through Ka- region and addressing intrare- who controlled a vast area in the States, russia, china, India and political stability, Kazakhstan summit in 11 years in our capi- over water and energy resources, stabilization of Afghanistan and zakhstan. We are at the heart gional disparities. heart of central asia, and this other Asian countries in a strate- has been a magnet for foreign tal, Astana. as well as organized crime, illegal its pursuit of harmonious rela- of efforts to build a new “Silk There has been notable re- experience is at the heart of our gically vital part of the world. investors, attracting more than Our chairmanship of the migration, drug trafficking and tions with its neighbors are an Road” of trade routes across cent progress in terms of eco- diplomacy. We seek friendship Under the leadership of Presi- $170 billion in foreign direct in- Council of Foreign Ministers of others. important part of that process. Central asia. new energy links nomic development between and cooperation in all directions dent who vestment since 1993, which is 80 the Organization of Islamic Co- Thanks to our economic suc- So too is the normalization of are being established between Kazakhstan and Japan, and as part of a balanced, multivec- guided Kazakhstan through in- percent of all foreign investment operation in 2011-12 was a vivid cess, we have transformed our- Iran’s relations with the interna- Central Asia and China, includ- there is a number of other ob- tor policy. dependence to its position today, in Central Asia. testament of that policy, focused selves from a beneficiary of aid tional community. ing from Kazakhstan. vious synergies between us. It is only 22 years ago that Ka- we have kept to a path of gradual Since independence, our GDP in this case on promoting better to a donor country, offering as- The situation in afghanistan Kazakhstan’s fruitful and pro- Japan’s leadership in the devel- zakhstan became an indepen- reforms, starting with economic per capita has grown sixteen- understanding between predom- sistance to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and its potential consequences ductive relationship with Japan opment and introduction of in- dent country when the political liberalization and moving only to fold from $700 to $12,000. GDP inantly Muslim countries and the Afghanistan and famine-stricken for the wider region are the is an excellent example of our novative technologies presents map of eurasia changed over- political modernization once we growth averaged 10 percent per rest of the world. Somalia. clearest reminder that these se- policy of international integra- great opportunities for future night after the dissolution of the had achieved economic stability. year from 1999 to 2007. It grew We have consistently pursued We have also made progress curity problems are real and re- tion. This relationship has also collaboration with Kazakhstan, . From the beginning, we de- 7.5 percent in 2011, 5.8 percent multilateral cooperation. at our toward democracy by holding quire coordinated approaches by delivered significant results in given our commitment to mod- There was little time for re- cided to use our vast natural in 2012 and is on target to reach initiative, new organizations democratic elections, open- countries in its neighborhood to strengthening peace and security ernize our economy and reduce joicing as our newborn country resources to improve the living 6 percent in 2013. have taken shape to foster great- ing the way for free media, and be managed effectively. across the Asia-Pacific region. our dependence on raw materi- experienced the full force of the standards of each and every citi- Kazakhstan was listed 49th er cooperation, including the developing a structure for mul- While asia has enormous Japan is one of Kazakhstan’s als exports. our economy will breakdown of the Soviet eco- zen. Revenues from oil produc- in the World Bank/IFC’s “Doing 24-country Conference on Inter- tiple political parties to work human and natural resources key strategic partners in Asia. We only be able to develop with nomic system. Within months, tion, for example, have benefited Business 2013” report that com- action and Confidence-Building actively in our national and lo- that have made it a powerhouse have worked together closely on strong investment in the best 40 percent of the population was all of our 17 million citizens. Ed- pares regulation for domestic Measures in asia. The security- cal legislatures. We are commit- of economic growth in recent a multilateral basis in many in- technologies. Tokyo is also a living below the poverty line and ucation and social welfare have companies across 185 econo- building initiative brings to- ted to developing a competitive decades, we see it marked by ternational organizations such as global financial center, and Ka- inflation reached almost 3,000 always been top priorities and, mies. In the World economic gether 24 countries, accounting multiparty system as foreseen stark contradictions: dynamic the U.N., IAEA, IMF, World Bank zakhstan is ready and eager to percent. since 1994, average income per Forum’s latest annual report on for over 90 percent of the terri- by our Constitution. We have a economic development is often and Asian Development Bank. learn from Tokyo’s success in At the time, some external capita has increased twelvefold. global competitiveness pub- tory of Asia and 3 billion people. long way to go develop our in- accompanied by high levels of We also collaborate closely in developing this capability. observers doubted whether Ka- Unemployment remains low at a lished in September, Kazakhstan This vast area stretches east-west stitutions as we would like but poverty and countries that are the “Central asia + Japan” dia- We believe that it is time to zakhstan could consolidate its stable level. gained 21 places to reach 50th from Turkey to South Korea and we have started the process and committed to greater integration logue established on Japan’s ini- raise the level of strategic part- independence as a country with Reform of education is central position out of 148. north-south from Russia to Thai- we are committed to moving are, in some cases, caught up in tiative in august 2004. Since its nership between Kazakhstan a diverse multiethnic popula- to our plans to build a modern We remain committed to de- land. forward. protracted conflicts. creation, the forum has proved and Japan. The rapidly growing tion stretching across a territory industrial base and double GDP veloping a modern economic The idea of creating a re- In short, Kazakhstan has In short, the region faces multi- to be a solid platform for the bilateral trading relationship the size of Western Europe in a by 2020. a far-reaching set of base to ensure that Kazakhstan gional platform for dialogue made rapid progress over the ple sources of potential instability. exchange of ideas and opinions provides us with the opportu- challenging geopolitical environ- reforms is under way aimed at becomes a competitive player in and consultation on security is- last 20 years on multiple fronts. Kazakhstan is also laying between Japan, Kazakhstan, nity to do this. In 2012, trade ment. equipping our schools, higher the markets for innovative goods sues was proposed by President We are not resting on our laurels the foundations for closer inte- Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uz- between Kazakhstan and Japan Today, by contrast, Kazakh- education institutions and re- and services. Nazarbayev in 1992, and reflects though. We are determined to gration within the region, and bekistan. The forum has raised exceeded $2 billion. We hope stan is a rapidly developing search institutes to meet the At the same time, we are con- Kazakhstan’s commitment to de- consolidate those achievements between europe and asia. We relations between Japan and that economic ties will receive country with a robust market demands of innovation in the scious of the effects of economic veloping patterns of cooperation and create the conditions for the have established a new rail cor- Central asia to a new level by a further boost in 2014 when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Kazakhstan. In fact, Kazakhstan is well placed to become a regional hub for introducing Japanese technology, and for promoting Japanese business interests in Central asia and our immedi- ate neighborhood. Membership of the customs Union together with belarus and russia, also gives Kazakhstan greater scope to act as a conduit for Japanese trade. Kazakhstan’s stable busi- ness climate gives foreign com- panies first-rate opportunities to create high-tech production facilities in the country. Goods can be exported directly and freely throughout the territory of the Customs Union. For its part, Kazakhstan is very interested in collaborating with Japan in the areas of edu- cation and science. We need to improve the level of educa- tion and scientific research in the country. In little over three years’ time, astana will host EXPO-2017 on the theme of “Future energy.” In the run up to this major event, we are put- ting heavy focus on facilitat- ing projects with international partners aimed at developing and introducing energy-saving technologies, and hope that Jap- anese businesses and research institutes can be involved. There are other sectors of the economy where there is signifi- cant potential for cooperation between our two countries such as energy, engineering, min- ing, petrochemicals, metallurgy, transport, communications and agriculture. Kazakhstan is ready to de- velop its partnership with Japan in all directions. We look to the future with great optimism – the possibilities of our partnership Nature’s bounty: (Left) The lakes and pine-covered mountains of the Burabay resort area have long been regarded as Kazakhstan’s “Switzerland.” embassy of kazakhstan are endless.

PAGE: 4 The Japan Times Monday, December 16, 2013 5 Kazakhstan independence day

Aug. 29: The International Day against nuclear Tests is Timeline of Kazakhstan’s marked at the U.N. and through- out the world for the first time. November: In another criti- cal nuclear nonproliferation freeing itself of WMD milestone, Kazakhstan, in close cooperation with the U.S. and the IAEA, completes a large- The following is a brief over- This material, left at Ulba from uranium fuel from BN-350 reac- scale 12-month project to en- view of some of Kazakhstan’s the time of nuclear fuel produc- tor and blend it down at Ulba. sure long-term secure storage efforts to free itself of weapons tion for Soviet submarines, would May: Kazakhstan is accept- for more than 10 metric tons of of mass destruction. have been enough to produce 20- ed into the nuclear Suppliers highly enriched uranium and 3 25 nuclear warheads. Group, which sets principles of metric tons of weapons-grade December: The U.S., the Unit- export controls in nuclear-relat- plutonium from the bn-350 re- 1991 ed Kingdom and the russian ed trade. actor in Aktau — enough mate- Aug. 29: President nursultan Federation, the states deposito- rial to make about 800 nuclear Nazarbayev of the Kazakh Soviet ries of the nPT Treaty, sign the 2004 weapons. The fuel is now safely Socialist Republic issues a decree Memorandum on Security as- December: Kazakhstan and stored in Eastern Kazakhstan. shutting down the Semipalatinsk surances with Kazakhstan, be- the U.S. sign an amendment to Nuclear Test Site, four months larus and Ukraine, as countries the Framework agreement on 2011 before the collapse of the Soviet who have renounced nuclear cooperation in nonproliferation Aug. 29: The 20th anniversary Union. It was on this same day weapons. In short order, France of weapons of mass destruction, of the closure of the Semipala- Aug. 29, but 42 years earlier, in and china, two other nuclear- which moved the two nations to- tinsk nuclear test site. 1949, that the USSR conducted its weapons states, provide similar ward a new level of cooperation first nuclear test at Semipalatinsk. guarantees to Kazakhstan. in fighting the spread of biologi- 2012 Dec. 16: The Republic of Ka- cal weapons and the threat of Jan. 24: Kazakhstan officially zakhstan declares its indepen- 1995 bioterrorism. joins the Global Partnership dence. April: all 1,040 nuclear war- countries’ Group of eight (G-8) Dec. 26: Kazakhstan and the heads for ICBMs and all 370 2005 against the spread of weapons establish full dip- nuclear warheads for aLCMs April: The U.S. Senate unani- of mass destruction. lomatic relations. The fate of the are removed from Kazakhstan to mously adopts resolution 122, March 27: President nursul- nuclear arsenal in Kazakhstan Russia. recognizing the historic efforts of tan nazarbayev reaffirms his is of paramount priority for the May: The last nuclear device Kazakhstan to reduce the threat strong commitment to strength- leaders of both countries. is destroyed at the Semipalatinsk of weapons of mass destruc- World leader: President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan (front row, sixth from left) attends the Nuclear Security Summit in ening the international nuclear Dec. 30: The USSR formally Nuclear Test Site, after being left tion through cooperation in the Washington, D.C., from April 12 to 13, 2010. At the summit and at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Kazakhstan was security framework and calls for ceases to exist. Kazakhstan in- there since 1990. In September Nunn-Lugar/Cooperative Threat recognized as a de facto leader of the global nonproliferation movement. embassy of kazakhstan bolder actions of the interna- herits the world’s fourth-largest 1996, Kazakhstan becomes one Reduction Program. tional community in the nuclear nuclear arsenal, including 1,040 of the first signatories to the July: Kazakhstan joins the lems of the former Semipalatinsk ment. to strengthening regional and the ratification by all member field while addressing the par- nuclear warheads for interconti- Comprehensive nuclear Test Proliferation Security Initiative, nuclear test site in a comprehen- July: Kazakhstan becomes global security. states. ticipants of the 2012 Nuclear Se- nental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) Ban Treaty. also known as the Krakow Initia- sive manner. one of the founding members of Dec. 2: At the initiative of Ka- curity Summit in Seoul. of 1 megaton TNT-equivalent tive. Its aim is to draw all coun- the Global Initiative to combat 2007 zakhstan, the U.N. General as- Aug. 29: President nursul- each, 104 rS-20 ICBMs, as well 1996 tries into the interdiction of air 2006 Nuclear Terrorism announced July: astana hosts the 3rd sembly unanimously passes the tan nazarbayev announces the as a squadron of 40 TU-95 heavy September: all 104 ICBMs and sea vessels as well as land February: The joint Ka- by Russia and the U.S. The U.S. meeting of deputy foreign min- resolution proclaiming aug. 29 launch of The ATOM project in a bombers armed with Kh-55 air- are removed from Kazakhstan transport suspected of carrying zatomprom-NTI project on House of Representatives unani- isters of the Global Initiative to International Day against Nucle- speech at an international parlia- land cruise missiles with 370 tac- to russia for destruction, three weapons of mass destruction- secure transportation of fresh mously adopts resolution 905, Combat Nuclear Terrorism. ar Tests. mentary conference in Astana as tical nuclear warheads. years ahead of schedule required related materials. highly enriched uranium fuel congratulating Kazakhstan on a mechanism to generate global by the START I Treaty. September: In addition to all from bn-350 reactor and its the 15th anniversary of the clo- 2008 2010 public support for a final and ir- 1992 12 U.N. counterterrorism con- down-blending at UMP is com- sure of the world’s second-larg- September: Kazakhstan hosts April: U.N. Secretary-General revocable ban on nuclear weap- May 23: Kazakhstan signs the 1997 ventions, Kazakhstan accedes pleted. almost 3 tons of highly est nuclear test site in the Semi- the Integrated Field experiment Ban Ki-moon visits the former ons testing, and for the ultimate Lisbon Protocol to the Treaty be- October: The U.N. General to the International Convention enriched uranium, enough to palatinsk region. The resolution organized by the CTBT prepara- Semipalatinsk nuclear test site eradication of nuclear weapons. tween the U.S. and the USSR on Assembly approves the first reso- for the Suppression of acts of produce two dozen nuclear notes that “Kazakhstan’s leader- tory commission. This large-scale and says: “To realize the world the Reduction and Limitation of lution calling on member states Nuclear Terrorism. bombs, were down-blended ship and cooperation with the endeavor brought a meaningful free from nuclear weapons is the 2013 Strategic Offensive Arms (START to provide assistance to regions December: The U.N. General and turned into low enriched United States on nonprolifera- contribution to strengthening the top priority for the United na- Feb. 25-26, April 5-6: Kazakh- I Treaty), by which it renounces of Kazakhstan that suffered from Assembly unanimously adopts a uranium usable only in peace- tion matters is a model for other nonproliferation regime. tions, and most ardent aspiration stan hosts two rounds of talks on the possession of nuclear weap- nuclear testing. resolution calling upon the inter- ful purposes. countries to follow.” November: Kazakhstan is ac- of mankind. Here, in Semipala- Iran’s nuclear program. Presi- ons and accepts obligations to national community to continue May: Kazakhstan and the U.S. September: In Semipala- cepted into the Zangger com- tinsk, I call on all nuclear-weapon dent nursultan nazarbayev’s ensure the nonproliferation of 1999 to support Kazakhstan in ad- sign an agreement under the tinsk, Kazakhstan, together with mittee. states to follow suit of Kazakh- initiative to offer Kazakhstan as nuclear weapons. September: All 148 ICBM si- dressing the challenges of the re- Second Line of Defense program four other countries of central stan.” Later, President nursultan the ground for talks in almaty July 2: Kazakhstan’s Parlia- los are destroyed in four regions habilitation of the Semipalatinsk of the U.S. Department of Energy Asia — Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, 2009 Nazarbayev participates in the was designed to contribute to ment ratifies the START I Treaty. across Kazakhstan. The Tokyo region and its population, taking calling for greater cooperation Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, March: The Treaty on the Global Nuclear Security Summit creating an atmosphere of trust conference on Semipalatinsk is additional actions, including by in preventing illicit trafficking of — signs the Treaty on the Cen- Central Asian Nuclear Weapons in Washington, D.C., and outlines between Iran and the group of 1993 held resulting in a decision to im- facilitating the implementation nuclear materials through the tral Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Free Zone (CANWFZ), signed Kazakhstan’s contribution to and international negotiators as well Jan. 14: Kazakhstan signs the plement 38 rehabilitation projects of the Kazakhstan national pro- supply and deployment of spe- Zone (CANWFZ), making an im- in September 2006 in Semipala- vision of a world free from nucle- as giving a positive impetus to Convention on the Prohibition in the Semipalatinsk region. gram on addressing the prob- cial radiation detection equip- portant collective contribution tinsk, enters into force following ar weapons. the negotiations. of the development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of chemical 2000 Weapons and on their Destruction. March: Kazakhstan ratifies the Dec. 13: Kazakhstan’s Parlia- Chemical Weapons Convention. ment ratifies the nuclear non- July: The last test tunnel is de- proliferation Treaty. On the same stroyed at the Degelen mountain day, in Almaty, President Nursul- complex at the Semipalatinsk tan nazarbayev and U.S. Vice test site. a total of 181 tunnels President albert Gore sign the and 13 unused test holes were Framework Agreement opening destroyed at the test site. the way toward implementation September: The capacity of of the Cooperative Threat Reduc- the world’s largest anthrax pro- tion Program (Nunn-Lugar pro- duction and weaponization facil- gram) in Kazakhstan. ity at Stepnogorsk is eliminated. 1994 2001 Feb. 14: President nursultan July: The joint Kazakhstan- Nazarbayev presents ratification U.S. project concludes at bn- documents to U.S. President Bill 350 fast-breeder reactor in ak- Clinton in Washington, D.C., by tau whose aim was the security which Kazakhstan formally ac- of more than 3,200 kilograms cedes to the Nuclear Nonprolif- of weapons-grade plutonium, eration Treaty as a nonnuclear- enough to produce 400 nuclear weapon state. bombs. The reactor had been February: Kazakhstan joins shut down for several years be- the International atomic en- fore that. ergy agency (IAEA). all 40 TU- 95 heavy bombers are removed 2002 from Kazakhstan to Russia. February: The joint project November: 581 kilograms of between the nuclear Threat highly enriched uranium are re- Initiative, the Kazatomprom na- moved to the U.S. from the Ulba tional nuclear company of Ka- Metallurgy Plant in northeast- zakhstan, the Ulba Metallurgical ern Kazakhstan through a joint Plant and the nonproliferation Kazakhstan-U.S. secret operation Support Centre begins to secure- code-named Project Sapphire. ly transport fresh highly enriched

PAGE: 5