+2° / 0°C WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 No 90 (24) www.astanatimes.com President Congratulates Kazakhstan, EU Nation on Independence Day Sign Landmark By Aiman Turebekova Agreement ASTANA – On the eve of the 24rd anniversary of Kazakhstan’s capital. “Kazakhstan and the EU By Aiman Turebekova independence, President Nursultan will enhance cooperation within Nazarbayev addressed and con- the framework of educational pro- ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign gratulated the people on the coun- grammes, research activities, and a Minister Erlan Idrissov and Euro- try’s national holiday at the State framework agreement seizes many pean Union High Representative opportunities to deepen coopera- Opera and Ballet Theatre Astana for Foreign Affairs and Security Opera. tion in this very important area,” Policy Federica Mogherini signed said Idrissov. “After witnessing the whole ep- a new Kazakhstan-EU agreement ochs our people had gone through “Kazakhstan has become the on enhanced partnership and co- first of our Central Asian part- a complex way of development. As operation (EPCA) during a Dec. renowned philosopher Al-Farabi ners to conclude a new generation 21 ceremony at the Ukimet Ui agreement with the EU,” said EU explained, the state as a human be- (Government House). Prior to the ing crosses through the two thresh- High Representative Mogherini. signing, the EU delegation was re- “The new agreement will give a olds in its evolution: the first is the ceived by Prime Minister Karim birth and the second is the entry significant boost to economic and Massimov. political ties between the EU and into adulthood. Each of these steps “The new agreement covers Kazakhstan,” she added. is unique and valuable,” said the 29 areas of cooperation, ranging The agreement places a strong Kazakh President. from political cooperation to in- emphasis on democracy and the Nazarbayev noted that Kazakh- vestment, trade, infrastructure and rule of law, human rights and stan, reaching its 24th anniver- areas such as innovation, culture, fundamental freedoms and sus- sary, seeks to achieve great goals. sports, tourism and law enforce- tainable development as well as “The history is witness to the great ment cooperation,” Idrissov said, civil society cooperation, Mogh- struggle of our people, which was speaking to a group of around 100 erini said. demonstrated during the periods government officials, ambassadors “Kazakhstan intends to continue of Sakas and Turks, the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivers his congratulatory message to the people of Kazakhstan on Dec. 15 at the from European countries and local and deepen relations with the Eu- Khanate and the Great Patriotic Astana Opera. and foreign media after signing the ropean Union,” said the Kazakh War. It is our past and our destiny. agreement. eignty and statehood are valuable that love for the motherland spirit and capable mettle,” Prime Minister on Nov. 11 when he A cherished goal of our ancestors He emphasised that the trade took part in the first meeting of the concepts for everyone,” he stated. is distinct happiness. “For the shared Nazarbayev. was independence, which the pre- section of the agreement attracts Astana Club, an international plat- The head of state pointed out motherland, you can go through sent generation reached. Therefore, He also noted that nowadays it is attention with its extensive de- form to discuss Eurasian regional that in just 24 years, the coun- incredible trials on the way to this day is a joyous and important common to divide life into before tails. “In the development and issues. holiday symbolising fulfillment of try has passed the upgrade pro- limitless dreams. Independence and after the independence periods, harmonisation of these provi- The EU and Kazakhstan signed the dream of generations, because cess and is respected around is a wave of history, which is and success is in unity and harmony. sions, Kazakhstan was guided the protocol on the completion of independence and equality, sover- the world. He also emphasised held only by possessing a strong Continued on Page A2 by its earlier commitments to EPCA negotiations on Oct. 9, 2014 the countries of the Customs in Brussels in a ceremony that Union, the EAEU and our mem- included European Commission bership in the WTO,” the min- President Jose Manuel Barroso and ister said. Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- One of the priorities of the arbayev. EAEU Elects Kazakhstan 2016 Chair agreement is to develop human Continued on Page A2 During Moscow Heads of State Meeting EAEU’s functioning and organisa- our capabilities and strengthen the President Nazarbayev also met By Malika Orazgaliyeva tional issues. EAEU,” he said. with President Putin and noted the New Civil Service Nazarbayev thanked Belarus The sides discussed joint strat- difficulties the EAEU faced during President of Kazakhstan Nur- and Lukashenko for their 2015 egy under the new free trade zone its first year. sultan Nazarbayev took part in the EAEU presidency.He also said the between Ukraine and the Euro- “The crisis was expected, there- meeting of the Council of Heads EAEU’s work is valuable and can pean Unionthat will begin Jan. 1, fore, we undertook the necessary Ministry Established of Member States of the Eurasian help member states develop. 2016. They also decided to begin measures to overcome it. Now we The new Anti-Corruption Bureau Economic Union (EAEU) in Mos- “Due to the instability of the the electronic declaration of goods must move on. Obviously, the GDP By Dmitry Lee will be established under the minis- cow Dec. 21. global economic environment, transported within the EAEU in of our countries and trade turnover try to prevent, detect, suppress and Presidents Vladimir Putin of we realise that 2016 will be dif- 2016. declined. However, open borders ASTANA – President Nursultan investigate cases of corruption. Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Arme- ficult and we will have to work The heads of state also approved and close ties play a positive role,” Nazarbayev signed a decree to es- Former deputy chief of staff to nia, Alexander Lukashenko of underspecial conditions. Kazakh- the 2016 EAEU budget, new EEC he said. tablish the Ministry of Civil Service the President Talgat Donakov has Belarus, Almazbek Atambayev stan will make all efforts for fur- board members and the members’ In turn, Putin highlighted the on- to improve the civil service and been appointed the new minister. of Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon ther dynamic development of our responsibilities. They also amended going development of the strategic counter corruption, the Akorda’s Previously, Donakov headed the of Tajikistan and Chairman of the integration association. During the programme of gradual liberalisa- partnership between Kazakhstan press service reported on Dec. 11. Department of Legislation and Board of the Eurasian Economic ourpresidency,we will work ac- tion of transportation within the un- and Russia despite theglobal econ- The decree establishes the new Legal Expertise under the Admin- Commission (EEC) Viktor Khris- tively to deepen contacts with the ion and choose Kazakhstan to chair omy crisis. ministry and replaces the previous istration of the President of Ka- tenko also attended. Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- all organs of the union in 2016, ex- Agency of Civil Affairs and Anti- zakhstan and the State-Legal De- The participants discussed the tion (SCO), which will expand cept the board of the commission. Continued on Page A3 Corruption that was in charge. partment. Kazakhstan Jumps 14 Ilya Ilyin Wins Gold, Sets Two Positions in UNDP New World Records in Grozny Human Development Index The report’s top five countries less, complex challenges – includ- By Zhazira Dyussembekova are Norway, Australia, Switzer- ing globalisation, demographic land, Denmark and The Nether- changes, large migration flows, ASTANA – Kazakhstan jumped lands. fast technological progress and 14 places compared to last year to Russia and Belarus shared the environmental degradation – may be ranked 56th out of 188 in the 50th position. Kazakhstan leads increase inequalities and reverse 2015 UNDP Human Development among Central Asian countries recent development achievements Report released Dec. 14. Kazakh- and is the only one to be in- there.” stan was also placed this year in a cluded in the group with a High Kazakhstan’s HDI has been im- group with a high Human Develop- Human Development. Turkmeni- proving each year since 1990, ac- ment Index (HDI). stan (109), Uzbekistan (114), cording to a table of trends in the According to the report, Ka- Kyrgyzstan (120) and Tajikistan report, showing steady increases in zakhstan’s life expectancy at (129) were listed in the Medium all indicators. birth is 69.4 years (66.5 in 2014), Human Development group. Af- The report also shows the results gross national income per capita ghanistan, which is now also of the Gender Development Index, is $20,867 ($19,441 last year) often discussed in the context of which shows the same indicators and expected and mean years of Central Asian affairs, was ranked as HDI, but separately for men and schooling are 15 and 11 respec- near the bottom of the list, at women. tively. Those are three basis di- 171st position. Men’s life expectancy in Ka- mensions of HDI – to lead a long According to the UNDP press re- zakhstan at birth is 64.6 years and healthy life measured by life lease, “the developing countries of and women’s is 74.1 years, gross expectancy at birth; the ability to Europe and Central Asia have been national income per capita for acquire knowledge measured by showing steady progress in human men is $26,867 and for women is mean years of schooling and ex- development levels. Together with $15,408. Expected and mean years pected years of schooling and the Latin America and the Caribbean, of schooling for men are 14.7 and ability to achieve a decent stand- the region has the highest Human 11.5 respectively.