-2° / -16°C WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 No 2 (116) www.astanatimes.com Syrian Peace Talks in Astana End with Support Kazakh President, for Ceasefire, Further Talks in Geneva Special Panel Mull Major Political Reforms The head of state highlighted the By Yerbolat Uatkhanov reduction of the powers originally referred strictly to the competence ASTANA – Kazakh President of the Kazakhstan President. Nursultan Nazarbayev took Jan. “For example, such authority 24 part in the meeting of a working as programme approval, issues group on the redistribution of pow- of personnel changes in the gov- ers between government branches. ernment, creation of new gov- He stated that the redistribution erning bodies can be transferred of powers between the branches to the competence of the gov- of government is a consistent and ernment and the Parliament,” he logical step in the development of said. the state. The Kazakh President empha- “Implementation of one of the sised the need to strengthen the five institutional reforms that I role of Parliament in the public ad- proposed, includes giving the ministration system. government additional executive “In our conditions, the govern- powers in the economic field. The ment is formed by the winning President will still be responsible party or faction. Thus, the role of for main issues in defence, foreign Parliament has to be revised in re- policy, governance, protection lation to the government on many of the Constitution and effective issues,” President Nazarbayev work between branches of govern- said. was a unique opportunity,” said de ment,” President Nazarbayev said. Continued on Page A2 By Zhazira Dyussembekova Mistura at a press conference after the talks, adding he will present ASTANA – Three guarantor the results at the UN in New York states of the recent efforts to end next week. the six-year conflict in Syria, Rus- The consolidation of the cease- sia, Turkey and Iran, completed fire was the immediate priority of Nazarbayev Visits UAE, the two days of peace talks in Asta- the talks, stressed de Mistura, and na Jan. 24 by agreeing to create a noting a mechanism to ensure full mechanism to ensure compliance compliance with the ceasefire was with the existing ceasefire and to an achievement. Improves Business Ties, continue talks towards a more per- Syrian government representa- manent solution Feb. 8. in Geneva. tive al-Jaafari said it was ex- The Astana talks, which were tremely painful to sit in the same the first ever to include both the room with Syrian rebels, who Attends Energy Summit Syrian government and the Syrian are “working for foreign powers, consular issues; memorandum of By Malika Orazgaliyeva armed opposition, were attended some of them even committed ter- understanding between Kazakh- by delegations from Russia, Iran rorist acts.” But he noted that the stan’s Religious Affairs and Civil ASTANA – Kazakh President and Turkey and UN Secretary- government will do “whatever it Society Ministry and UAE General Nursultan Nazarbayev paid his General’s Special Envoy for Syria takes to stop bloodshed and ter- Authority for Islamic Affairs and first official visit in 2017 to Abu- Staffan de Mistura. U.S. Ambas- ror.” Endowments. Also signed were Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates sador to Kazakhstan George Krol It was important for Russia, Tur- memorandum of understanding (UAE) Jan.15-16, reported the attended the talks as an observer. Syria to the United Nations Bashar integrity of Syria as a multi-ethnic, key and Iran during the course of and cooperation between the Asta- press office of the Akorda. According to a joint statement al-Jaafari, who represented the multi-religious, non-sectarian and negotiations to stress the dominant na EXPO 2017 national company He met with Crown Prince of from the three states following Syrian government in the talks, democratic state, as confirmed by role of the UN and the importance and Dubai Bureau of EXPO 2020, Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed the talks, the countries decided to noted that the mechanism on mon- the UN Security Council.” of UN Security Council resolu- as well as memorandum of under- Al Nahyan, co-CEO of Calatrava establish “a trilateral mechanism itoring the ceasefire will be imple- They also expressed their con- tions, including the work of the standing between akimat (Admin- Grace Corporation Micael Calatra- to observe and ensure full compli- mented step by step but the truce viction that “there is no military Special Representative of the UN istration) of the Mangistau region va and business circle representa- ance with the ceasefire, prevent does not apply to the territory of solution to the Syrian conflict and Secretary General on Syria. and DP World FZE. tives of the country. In addition, at The signed documents also in- the invitation of the Emirates gov- cluded memorandum of understand- ernment, Nazarbayev attended the ing between Kazakh Investment 10th World Future Energy Summit. and Development Ministry (MID) Nazarbayev and Al Nahyan dis- and the UAE Federal Authority for cussed trade, economic, invest- Land and Maritime Transport on ment, energy, cultural and humani- international road transport of pas- tarian bilateral cooperation as well sengers and cargo. as international issues. At the meeting with Calatrava, The two leaders also witnessed the sides negotiated long-term co- the signing of the following agree- operation agreement between the ments: Agreement between Kazakh corporation and Kazakhstan. Naz- government and UAE government arbayev was presented with a few on mutual provision of land for free proposed projects in Astana. Ca- use in Astana and Abu Dhabi for latrava Grace is a well-capitalised the needs of their embassies; pro- investor with an ability to invest tocol on amending the agreement alongside its clients, in global real between the two states on mutual any provocations and determine Wadi Barada, since terrorists (Al- that it can be only solved through Equally significant was the three estate projects, for up to $100 mil- visa-free travel for holders of dip- all modalities of the ceasefire” Nusra group) are attacking that a political process based on the countries’ stressing the importance lion per transaction. To date, the lomatic passports; memorandum and “reiterate their determination territory implementation of the UN Secu- of finding solutions involving all company has a portfolio of 340 of understanding between the two to fight jointly against ISIL/Daesh Opposite al-Jaafari, the opposi- rity Council resolution 2254 in stakeholders and that the Feb. 8 projects in 32 countries with a total countries’ foreign ministries on and Al-Nusra and to separate them tion was led by Mohammad Al- its entirety,” according to Kazakh talks in Geneva should focus on area of 1.9 million square metres. establishing a joint commission on Continued on Page A3 from armed opposition groups.” loush, leader of Jaish al-Islam. Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- political solutions. The statement also agreed to Representatives of 15 rebel groups khmanov who read out the tri- The Astana Process, as the talks “support the willingness of the also took part in the talks, accord- country statement after the talks. have been dubbed, was preceded armed opposition groups to partic- ing to the Kazakh Ministry of For- “I want to acknowledge with by an initiative jointly expressed ipate in the next round of negotia- eign Affairs. great appreciation the delegations by the presidents of the Russian tions to be held between the gov- According to the final joint state- of the Syrian government and op- Federation and the Republic of Kazakh Teams ernment and the opposition under ment from Russia, Turkey and Iran, position. It takes political courage Turkey to make Astana the venue the UN auspices in Geneva as of the three “countries reaffirm their for them to sit in the same room of the Syrian settlement talks, said Feb. 8.” commitment to the sovereignty, after a long time and listen to their Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Permanent Representative of independence, unity and territorial demands and complaints. But that Abdrakhmanov, who said Jan. 23 Win Categories in at the opening of the talks that it is a time to “make the real break- through that the Syrian people rightfully deserve.” Dakar and Africa Eco Opening the talks, Abdra- khmanov expressed Kazakhstan’s willingness to assist all parties to the talks and by reading a greeting from Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. “The complex situation in Syria is drawing global attention. We must admit that the bloodshed that continues to persist in Syria for ap- proximately six years has brought nothing but misery and hardship to the holy region regarded as an in- tersection of different civilisations and cultures,” Nazarbayev said in his statement. motor.kz Photo credit: Continued on Page A3 See full story on Page B7. INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIALS OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL eGov.kz Used More Than 40 Million Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering In Search of Peace for Syria: World’s Eyes Are SHPEKBAYEV: Outcomes and Effects of Almaty Metro Prepares for Universiade B1 on Astana A6 National Anti-Corruption Strategies A7 Times in 2016 A2 Upbeat on Future Prospects A4 Swedish Explorer and Camel Travelling Citizens’ Registration Law Draws Shymkent-Based Plant to Produce Green Book by Bolashak Alumnus Presented at KULUSHEVA: Akmola Region Takes Steps Kazakh Wilderness B6 Controversy, Confusion A2 Algae Superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella A5 Cambridge A6 to Improve Health Services, Says Health Administration Head A7 US$ 1 = 328.49 KZT € 1 = 352.77 KZT 1 = 5.55 KZT A2 NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 NATIONAL National Emergency eGov.kz Used More Than NEWS IN BRIEF The yellow terror alert level set July 5 after the attack in Aktobe was can- Response System Launches celled Jan. 16 throughout the country. 40 Million Times in 2016 Police and law enforcement agencies By Kseniya Voronina worked in emergency mode, patrol- ling streets and public places almost ASTANA – Kazakh citizens eight months.