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 Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev 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 United Nations 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 President of Kazakhstan 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 Food Security (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, tourism, “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.