+30 / +15°C WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015 No 12 (78) www.astanatimes.com Kazakhstan Fifth Congress of Religious Leaders Calls Finalises to End Distrust, Strengthen Dialogue Terms for Accession to WTO By Dmitry Lee ASTANA – After nearly 20 years of negotiations, Kazakhstan finalised on June 10 terms for the country to accede to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). “I congratulate WTO members and the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the historic step taken today to conclude the acces- sion negotiations of Kazakhstan and finalise its WTO accession package. I look forward to welcoming Ka- zakhstan to the WTO,” said WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo following the meeting with the Working Party on Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev (C) with participants in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. accession, during which the terms were reached, according to infor- By Michelle Witte law,” and for “media owners and Sauli Niinistö and King Abdullah In opening the congress, Presi- event opened. “We have shown the mation released by the organisation. publishers to cease using their me- II of Jordan, who addressed the dent Nazarbayev called inclusive world that the fatal inevitability of President Nursultan Nazarbayev ASTANA – The fifth Congress dia outlets, including web-based opening and the closing plenary dialogue crucial to progress. “[Di- conflict of religions and cultures spoke to the people of Kazakhstan of Leaders of World and Tradi- ones, as a tool to incite religious sessions of the congress. alogue] should be based on the does not exist in our society,” the in a televised address in connec- tional Religions in Astana com- and sectarian divisions, reminding The theme of the congress was principles of equality, mutual re- President said. “Therefore, they tion with the completion of acces- sion negotiations on June 22, telling pleted its work on June 11 with them of their moral responsibil- “Dialogue of Religious Leaders spect and recognition of each oth- can be avoided at any level of in- them the Working Party had met in the adoption of a final political and ity and to advise that they spread and Politicians for Peace and er’s interests, cooperation, toler- ternational politics. We have dem- Geneva earlier that day and Kazakh- religious declaration based on pro- a culture of peace, accord and re- Development,” and it included ance and mutual understanding,” onstrated that tolerant attitudes stan’s bid had been formally and fi- posals made by Kazakh President spect among religions, peoples sessions on subjects such as “Re- he said. “In the 21st century, an al- within society are the question nally approved. He called the event Nursultan Nazarbayev during his ligious and Political Leaders: ternative to dialogue in all fields – and nations,” among other exhor- of conscious responsibility of the “historic” and said Kazakhstan was opening address to the gathering. tations for conflicts to be ceased, Responsibility to Humanity,” political, economic, cultural, and state and religious organisations, to become the 162nd member of the The final declaration includes for dialogue to be continued, for “The Influence of Religion on spiritual – does not exist. Today, and ordinary citizens.” global trade organisation. calls for “political leaders of world joint efforts against extremism and Youth: Education, Science, Cul- humanity has great material, sci- Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, “WTO membership opens up powers to stop the growing abyss other declarations. ture and the Media,” “Religion entific, technical and intellectual president of the Pontifical Coun- new horizons for our economy. of distrust in the world today, to The event drew religious leaders and Politics: New Trends and capabilities. No progress will [be cil for Interreligious Dialogue This ensures that our companies end mutual sanctions and to use from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Prospects,” “Dialogue Based achieved] if people do not learn to in the Roman Curia, echoed the have access to foreign markets and the mechanisms of the United Na- Muslim, Jewish and Zoroastrian on Mutual Respect and Under- live in peace and spiritual harmo- sentiment when he called Kazakh- gives customers access to a large tions and other international organ- traditions from more than 40 coun- standing between the Leaders of ny with each other,” the President stan an example of a society that selection of goods and services. isations to overcome the divisions tries, as well as political leaders World and Traditional Religions said. remains secular yet respects reli- Today 90 percent of our bilateral and restore peace and security such as UN Secretary General Ban for the Sake of Peace, Security Kazakhstan itself was offered gious differences. trade is with WTO member-states. in accordance with international Ki-moon, President of Finland and Harmony.” as an example of harmony as the Continued on Page A2 Continued on Page A4 IAEA Board Day of Kazakhstan’s Pavilion at Approves Agreement EXPO 2015 to be Held in Milan By Malika Orazgaliyeva ple visit it daily. While waiting in ion and a business forum that is mare’s milk, and given an op- on Housing LEU line to enter the pavilion, visitors being held on the initiative of Ka- portunity to take a selfie with the MILAN – The world exposi- have a chance to observe Kazakh zakhstan’s Ministry of Investment pavilion’s equipment. A restaurant tion EXPO Milano 2015 opened in art through performances by Ka- and Development. has been opened at the pavilion for Italy in early May and will last for zakh artist. The outside of Kazakhstan’s pa- people to try Kazakh food. Bank in Kazakhstan six months. The National Day of Kazakhstan vilion evokes wheat, which is one “The next expo event will take By Michelle Witte LEU in case they cannot access it EXPO Milano 2015 examines is expected to be held on June 27 of the country’s main agricultural place in Astana in 2017. Kazakh- on the commercial market or oth- human history through the lens of in front of the Expo Centre, with crops. Inside the pavilion are six stan’s pavilion serves as one of the two aspects of food production: zones dedicated to agriculture, main attractions of Expo 2015, as ASTANA – The Board of Gov- erwise. It is intended to provide an official ceremony to be attended traditional cultural values and the by President of Kazakhstan Nur- livestock, aquaculture, environ- well as demonstrates the country’s ernors of the Vienna-based Inter- IAEA member states with confi- use of new technologies, its organ- sultan Nazarbayev. ment, arable farming and surpris- readiness to host such a large event national Atomic Energy Agency dence in a steady and predictable (IAEA) approved a host-state isers say. They expect up to 20 mil- The Kazakh delegation will be ing facts about Kazakhstan. To in 2017,” General Commissioner supply of fuel even if other sup- welcomed with a flag-raising cere- engage visitors, interactive and of the National Pavilion of Ka- agreement on June 12 between lion visitors during the half-year ply mechanisms are disrupted, the the event will be open. mony and, as usual, by the national multimedia technologies are wide- zakhstan Anuarbek Mussin said. the agency and the government IAEA announcement explained. Kazakhstan’s pavilion is one anthems of Kazakhstan and Italy. ly used in the expositions. of Kazakhstan on hosting an in- However, a key principle of the of the most popular among expo After the ceremony, the President All the guests are offered kumys, See more stories on EXPO ternational low-enriched uranium bank is that it must not distort the guests, and more than 4,500 peo- is set to visit Kazakhstan’s pavil- a national drink of fermented 2017 on Page B8. (LEU) fuel bank in the country, commercial market, and it does not an offer Kazakhstan first made affect the rights of IAEA member in 2010, according to an IAEA states to develop their own nuclear announcement on the same day. fuel cycle facilities, the IAEA said. The board also approved a transit Member states wishing to pur- agreement with Russia on mov- chase LEU from the IAEA LEU Astana Arlans Win Second WSB Title ing nuclear materials through its bank will need to have a Compre- territory. hensive Safeguards Agreement in The bank is intended to assure force with the agency, among other countries with peaceful nuclear criteria. programmes of a ready supply of Continued on Page A8 Ban Ki-moon Visits Kazakhstan, Promotes Stronger Cooperation gions and other ways of coop- By Malika Orazgaliyeva eration. Nazarbayev noted that the par- ASTANA – President of Ka- ticipation of the UN secretary- zakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev general in the Congress, which met United Nations Secretary has been taking place in the pur- General Ban Ki-moon in Asta- pose-built Palace of Peace and na’s Palace of Peace and Har- Harmony since 2006, seriously mony on June 10 to discuss the increases the significance of the work of the Congress of Leaders event. of World and Traditional Reli- Continued on Page A3 Read the story on Page B7. INSIDE NATION ECONOMY & BUSINESS EDitoriaL & OPINION OPINIONS NatioN & CAPitaL Kazakh President Awards Diplomas to First Qatari Foreign Minister Visits Astana, Almaty Olympic Bid Remains Strong Going into ABDRAKHMANOV: Building Civil Service Kazakh Granny Discovers Whole New World Graduates of Nazarbayev University A2 Nazarbayev’s Fall Visit Discussed A3 Final Weeks A6 Excellence in Post-2015 Development at 80 B1 Agenda A7 Anti-Doping Conference Highlights Almaty’s OSCE High Commissioner