Astana Calling#293

Astana Calling

ISSUE No 293 FRIDAY, 1 MARCH 2013 WWW.MFA.KZ A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan Hosts Iran Nuclear Talks Next round to take place in April

Kazakhstan’s Youth: Development Policy to 2020 Education Minister points the way ahead

UN Alliance of Civilizations Meeting

French Foreign Minister Visits Kazakhstan

High-level representation from Kazakhstan

Bilateral trade high on the agenda

Also in the News

President Nazarbayev and the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, meeting in Almaty this week

Kazakhstan Hosts Iran Nuclear Talks Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, this week hosted the latest round of talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

The issue is of great concern for international security, and it is not by coincidence that Kazakhstan was invited to host these talks.

In the past 20 years Kazakhstan has been seen as a leading light in the nuclear disarmament movement, after voluntarily giving up the large nuclear arsenal which the country inherited from the Soviet Union.

Kazakhstan was also a major testing ground for the Soviet Union’s nuclear program, experiencing tests the equivalent of 2,500 of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima. This history puts Kazakhstan in a unique place to play a major role both on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

The talks were attended by the so-called E3+3 group (France, Germany, UK, China, Russia, US) along with representatives from Iran itself and the European Union.

These were the fourth in a series of talks, following three rounds last year which took place between April and June in Istanbul, Baghdad and Moscow. While it is too early to talk of a breakthrough, this latest round of talks, which took place in Almaty over two days, 26-27 February, ended on a more positive note than the previous one.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said that some of the points put forward at this meeting were “more realistic”, and added that he believed that the E3+3 group was trying to come closer to the Iranian point of view.

An encouraging sign of this was that an expert group will meet in Istanbul on 18-19 March; and the next round of full talks between the E3+3 group and Iran will take place once again in Kazakhstan, in Almaty, on 5-6 April. The choice of Almaty once again as the venue for the talks underlines Kazakhstan’s vital role in the discussion of nuclear issues.

On the eve of the talks, President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a meeting with Iran’s chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, and underlined the unique role which Kazakhstan can play in the nuclear talks, given its nuclear history. Saeed Jalili thanked the President of Kazakhstan for hosting the talks and spoke of his hopes for a constructive outcome.

Ahead of the talks, President Nazarbayev also met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.

Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov also used the occasion of the nuclear talks to hold a series of one-to-one meetings with the representatives of the parties involved in the talks, each of whom expressed their gratitude to Kazakhstan for offering to host this crucial meeting.

“We consider these talks as a positive step. They could conclude with the adoption of a positive, instructive approach to the issue, and mutual advances. We are very grateful to the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, for the special attention which he has paid to these talks.”

Saeed Jalili, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary and chief nuclear negotiator

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Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov and the Cabinet of Ministers at this week’s meeting on Youth Policy

Kazakhstan’s Youth: Development Policy to 2020 On 26 February, the Minister for Education and Science, Bakytzhan Zhumagulov, presented to the Government the Plan for the State Policy for Youth up to 2020. The Plan was accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers.

As Minister Zhumagulov explained to the meeting of the Government, in the first instance the Plan is based on a new social policy, which depends not only on guarantees given by the state, but also on the personal responsibility of each individual. The state will introduce measures to help young people find work, to re-train where necessary and to find accommodation within their means and will also subsidize travel and food expenses.

The young people of Kazakhstan have the responsibility to make the most of the opportunities which are being given them.

Minister Zhumagulov went on to say that it was vital that all investment into the development of the country’s youngsters was effective. The Government is putting significant sums of money into the project: in 2013 alone KZT 1.5 billion will be allocated from the state budget to the Youth Policy, and a further KZT 2 billion from local budgets. This represents twice the amount spent in 2010.

The Minister’s third point was that the new Youth Policy should be embedded in a spirit of patriotism. This should be manifested in the learning of three languages, (Kazakh, Russian and English), as well as the national culture, traditions and intellectual heritage of Kazakhstan. It is an encouraging sign that more than 25 per cent of young people of the country already take part in patriotic activities.

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Bakytzhan Zhumagulov Minister for Education and Science

Born 1953. Graduated from the Kirov Kazakh State University. From 1979 to 1991, taught mathematics at Kirov University, rising to Vice-Rector. In 1991 became President of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He is one of the country’s leading mathematicians.

Occupied various state posts 2001-2005, including Deputy Minister for Education and Science. In 2003 was elected to the Bureau of the “Nur Otan” Party, where he has since held senior positions.

In April 2008 he was appointed by the President of Kazakhstan as Rector of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

On 22 September 2010 he was appointed Minister of Education and Science.

The Plan is aimed not only at that segment of the young population which is in education. As well as this part of the population, the Plan includes all young people: rural youngsters, workers, self-employed; those out of work and those marginalized by society.

The Plan for Youth Development will be carried out in two phases: from 2013 to 2015, then from 2015 to 2020.

Certain elements of the Plan are already in operation. For example, the Committee for Youth Affairs is up and running and has branches in the regions.

After the Government of Kazakhstan had approved the Plan for Youth Policy, the Prime Minister, Serik Akhmetov, instructed the Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with associated state bodies, to put forward by 15 March a timetable for its implementation.

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Chairman of the Senate, Kairat Mami, meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger during his visit to Vienna this week

UN Alliance of Civilizations Meeting A senior delegation from Kazakhstan participated in this week’s Fifth UN Alliance of Civilizations Meeting in Vienna. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan’s parliament, Kairat Mami, who also heads the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions.

The theme of the meeting was “Responsible Leadership in Diversity and Dialogue”, and in a series of panel sessions and round table discussions delegates explored how responsible leadership can make a difference in issues of religion, the media and migration.

The meeting discussed firstly the promotion, protection and full enjoyment of the right to religious freedom in a context of religious pluralism. This session in particular examined the possibilities of enhanced cross-cultural cooperation in the Danube, Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asian regions.

Kazakhstan was represented in this discussion by Adil Akhmetov, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Secretary of the Committee of Senate on International Relations, Defence and Security, and Personal Representative of the Chairperson in Office of the OSCE on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims.

“We require new concepts that acknowledge the treasure of diversity, cultivate inclusive societies and thereby spark a new kind of pluralism: one that boosts peace and fosters social progress.”

Dr Michael Spindelegger, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria

In his remarks to the Forum, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said that anti-Muslim sentiment had become commonplace in too many places.

On media issues, the meeting looked at the importance of media pluralism and diversity of media content. The values of free speech were a key issue for discussion.

According to figures from 2010, 214 million people, or three per cent of the world’s population, are migrants. Nine out of every ten of these migrants are economic migrants. Migration can cause friction between peoples; the Vienna meeting examined how to shape a new narrative for migration, integration and mobility in the global economy.

The meeting was also attended by the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic. The Federal President of host nation Austria, Heinz Fischer, also participated. The head of the delegation from Kazakhstan, Kairat Mami, used the occasion of the forum to hold meetings with senior Austrian representatives, as well as giving a presentation to the Austria-Kazakhstan Society and Austrian business people.

“From the world stage to local communities, leaders need to speak the language of tolerance and respect, not division and defamation. Wherever tensions divide communities, the opportunity exists for the Alliance to build bridges and to help people move from conflict to collaboration.”

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 293 / 5

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President Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Fabius in discussion this week

French Foreign Minister Visits Kazakhstan On 1-2 March the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, paid an official visit to Kazakhstan.

Mr Fabius met President Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Akhmetov and his opposite number, Erlan Idrissov.

Business and trade between Kazakhstan and France were high on the agenda for the French Foreign Minister’s visit. Mr Fabius visited the Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering Plant, and he was accompanied by a delegation representing 14 leading French companies.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

Of particular note was the presence of the Total oil company and the energy and transport company, Alstom. Total is involved in the development of the giant Kashagan oil field, as well as the Khvalinskoye gas field in the Caspian Sea. Alstom is participating in a major railway project, assembling locomotives for Kazakhstan’s railway network. The business delegation held talks with the Minister for Industry and New Technologies, Asset Issekeshev.

Both the Kazakh and French sides declared their satisfaction with the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries.

France is the fourth largest customer for exports from Kazakhstan, mainly oil but also metals and metal products. France is the ninth largest supplier of goods to Kazakhstan, and on investment stands fifth in terms of assets in the country.

“For us, France is one of the biggest investors among EU countries. We are currently implementing 25 joint projects in different areas and the prospects for developing bilateral cooperation are very great.”

President Nazarbayev

The importance of the Franco-Kazakhstan relationship was emphasized late last year. In November 2012, President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited France for discussions with the French President François Hollande. It was the tenth time that President Nazarbayev had visited France since Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991.

Speaking with Mr Fabius, President Nazarbayev noted that the work underway in the bilateral “Nazarbayev-Hollande” commission was proceeding well and that it was important for these meetings to continue.

The President and the Minister discussed trade and investment issues and also exchanged views on a broad set of questions related to regional and global security.

Mr Fabius said that his visit to Kazakhstan was aimed at further strengthening and broadening the bilateral relationship and implementing previous agreements in different areas. He noted that President Hollande intended to take up President Nazarbayev’s invitation and would visit Kazakhstan in the nearest future.

“Today France and Kazakhstan have many common positions on a whole range of issues, since our countries aspire to peace and stable development.”

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

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Also in The News…

• 5,000 government posts are to be transferred from Astana to the regions, in a move announced by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Gabidulla Abdrakhimov. This is part of the plan to devolve more power from the center to the regions. Mr Abdrakhimov announced also that the election of local leaders, or akims, will take place in August of this year. (tengrinews.kz) • President Nazarbayev sent a telegram of congratulations to the Cuban leader, Raul Castro, following the latter’s re-election as Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Cuba. President Nazarbayev expressed his belief that the dynamic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Cuba will grow ever stronger for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. (akorda.kz) • Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in China, Nurlan Yermekbayev, has been handed an invitation to President Nazarbayev to take part in the 12th session of the Boao Forum for Asia. This will take place from 6-8 April 2013 on the topic of “Asia Seeking Development for all: Restructuring, Responsibility and Cooperation”. Kazakhstan was one of the 28 signatories of the founding document of the Forum, which is aimed at improving economic integration and mutual development of the Asian states. (mfa.gov.kz) • Danial Akhmetov, member of the Eurasian Economic Commission for Energy and Infrastructure, took part in the 75th session of the Committee for Interior Transportation of the UN’s European Economic Commission, held in Geneva. The meeting examined questions of Eurasian transport links and the creation of a unified railway code. Mr Akhmetov noted that the Trans-Siberian Railway, the international corridor, “Western Europe – Western China” and the northern sea route all have great potential for growth. Each offers the opportunity for fast delivery of goods, and in a safe manner. (kazinform.kz) • The President of the State Fund for Social Insurance, Almas Kurmanov, has announced a change in the law “On Compulsory State Insurance” as it relates to pregnancy and childbirth. From now on, women who are earning more than KZT 186,000 (equivalent to ten times the minimum wage) will receive no more than the ceiling of KZT 700,000. This still maintains the sum paid to mothers-to-be and young mothers at a rate on a par with the practice in many developed countries. (primeminister.kz)

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• Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia, Galym Orazbakov, has said that Kazakhstan and Russia are working on a plan for joint use of the Baikonur space complex to the mutual benefit of the two countries. Kazakhstan has already launched Russianmade satellites from the facility and such launches could be increased. (zakon.kz) • Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov chaired a meeting on 28 February to discuss the development of the tourism sector in Kazakhstan. It is possible to see from the experience of countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Spain how tourism can play a key role in a country’s development. There is a direct link between the growth of tourism and the development of the country’s transport infrastructure. (primeminister.kz) • From the first of January 2014, Kazakhstan will join the inter-state electronic trading system already being used by Russia and Belarus. In the Russian city of Ufa on 27 February, member of the Collegiate for Regulation of Competition and Monopolies of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Nurlan Aldabergenov, said that the system in place between Russia and Belarus was already working well. The system is especially useful for large financial transactions. (tengrinews.kz) • A number of European and Japanese car manufacturers are discussing opening production facilities in Kazakhstan. These could produce cars for the Russian market as well as for sale in Kazakhstan. Concrete talks are already being held with the Japanese manufacturer, Toyota. (zakon.kz) • Kazakhstan is planning to introduce by 2015 a system analogous to the Russian “ERA-GLONASS” satellite system for rapid reaction to accidents and incidents on the roads. The system offers emergency assistance to drivers who are involved in traffic accidents. It has been shown in Russia that using this system reduces by up to 30 per cent the waiting time for the emergency services to arrive at the scene of an accident. (tengrinews.kz) • On 2 March in Astana, 80 intrepid drivers from all over Kazakhstan took part in a sprint rally on ice. The event was organised by the “Sport Racing Club”, and took place on the frozen River Yesil. There were two classes in the event: the amateur race, where participants drove on ordinary winter tyres with small studs; and the sports class, where drivers used 4.5mm studs and drove at high speed. It is the sixth time that the rally has been held in Astana. (tengrinews.kz)

ASTANA CALLING is a weekly online publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Please send your requests and questions to pressa@mfa.kz

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