Astana calling no 351

Astana Calling

A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 351 / FRIDAY, APRIL 25 2014

President Addresses 21st Assembly Session Stresses Close Relations with Russia and China

Eurasian Media Forum Facilitates East and West Debate

ADB Chooses Astana for Meeting Venue Choice Reflects Meeting’s Focus on Connecting to Asia

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President Nursultan Nazarbayev talks to participants at the 21st session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan

President Addresses 21st Assembly Session Stresses Close Relations with Russia and China Stressing his country’s close ties with neighbouring Russia and China, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told delegates at the April 18 opening of the 21st Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan that while Kazakhstan can’t choose its neighbours, it can choose the types of relationships it has with them.

concerns me. This could seriously undermine the entire process of nuclear nonproliferation in the world and erase the progress made in this area over the last decade, including the recent global summit in The Hague.” Kazakhstan, he said, remains committed to the ideal of a nuclear-weapons-free world.

“That is why there will always be a close relationship with our neighbours,” the President said in his opening remarks at the ceremony at Astana’s Palace of Peace and Accord. The opening ceremony was attended by hundreds of leading figures representing Kazakhstan’s ethnic diversity.

Nazarbayev also promoted the G-Global platform as an initiative that could help resolve some of the world’s pressing problems. He urged the assembly to promote the use of the platform through its international contacts.

The assembly, founded in 1995, is involved in the activities of more than 820 ethnic and cultural organisations from across Kazakhstan.

It will play an important role in the implementation of the President’s Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, the President said.

Nazarbayev also confirmed positive relationships with currently embattled Russia and Ukraine, saying, “Today, Kazakhstan and Russia are good neighbours, allies and strategic partners.”

However, Kazakhstan is also home to more than 300,000 ethnic Ukrainians, he noted. “Ukrainian soil is strewn with many holy remains of thousands of Kazakhs, who heroically died in the battles for Ukraine’s liberation from fascism. Thousands of Kazakhs studied in Ukraine. You know that I’m one of those [students]. [In Ukraine], I learned the art of metallurgy,” he said. “Therefore, we Kazakhs empathise with the Ukrainian people and express brotherly hope for a quick restoration of stability and unity of the Ukrainian society. We are confident that the Ukrainian people should solve internal problems without external interference, through peaceful negotiations with all parties involved.”

The President also emphasised how important stability and unity are to Kazakhstan’s development and said more measures promoting the nation’s model of tolerance and harmony were needed.

The President also discussed key current international questions and the Kazakh position on some crucial world issues.

“The world has entered a period of great change,” he said.

“International relations are undergoing a major crisis. The information about the possible termination of cooperation of leading nuclear powers in the area of physical protection of nuclear materials really

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He also asked the assembly to create a plan for its participation in the country’s upcoming world events. “Also, the assembly should have its own distinct action plan to participate in the preparation for such major international events in our country as EXPO 2017 in Astana and the Universiade 2017 in Almaty. At these events, we need to show the world our culture, tolerance, the multi-ethnic people of our country and our achievements in peace and harmony,” Nazarbayev urged.

To mark the 21st anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, the President also instructed the government and the assembly to draw up a national action plan to guide the anniversary year.

The President called the country’s multilingualism is one of the strengths arising from its multi-ethnic, diverse nature.

There are not many countries in the world in which most citizens speak at least two languages, he said, and Kazakhstan’s multilingual profile contributes significantly to the welfare and prosperity of the country.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev (right) awards “Kurmet” to Denis Ten, bronze medal winner at the 2014 Sochi Olympics

The President also confirmed that 2015 would be guided by the slogan “Astana – The city of peace and accord.”

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President Nursultan Nazarbayev addresses the 2013 Eurasian Media Forum

Eurasian Media Forum Facilitates East and West Debate The annual Eurasian Media Forum (EAMF) will welcome politicians and journalists from the world’s East and West on April 24-25. This year’s forum presents an especially sensitive agenda that reflects the ongoing global tension surrounding conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as Iran’s nuclear intentions.

Senior public figures from Russia, the United States, Europe and the Middle East will take part in panel discussions with other political leaders, academics and senior media representatives from Central Asia, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and others.

The first panel, “New Global Order or Inevitability of World War III?” will include Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Russian Duma’s foreign affairs committee, and Newt Gingrich, former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ehud Barak, former prime minister of Israel, and Ambassador of Syria to Russia Riad Haddad will take part in a panel on the Middle East and Syria, “Who Holds the Key to Resolving the Syrian Conflict?” Mohamed El Baradei, Nobel Prize-winning former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and former acting vice president of Egypt will contribute to “Iran’s Nuclear Programme: Winners and Losers.”

The last two sessions will focus on professional media interests: “Image is Everything: The Branding of a Country,” and “Virtual Glamour: The Addiction of Social Networks.” The branding panel will feature image-building authorities Roger Fisk, a key advisor during U.S. President Barak Obama’s two successful election campaigns, and Simon Anholt, originator of the concept of nation branding.

Other speakers at the forum include Minister of Information and Mass Communication of the Republic of Crimea Dmitry Polonsky; former head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars and People’s Deputy of Crimea Mustafa Cemilev; President, International of The New York Times Company Stephen Dunbar-Johnson and others.

Dariga Nazarbayeva, chair of the EAMF Organising Committee and founder of the forum.

The EAMF was founded in 2001, inspired by the concept of Eurasia as a bridge between East and West. It is a nonpolitical institution with the primary purpose of providing a platform for examining issues between the East and the West with the active participation of the world’s newsmakers, reporters and commentators. Many forum delegates are senior, working journalists.

The EAMF has become a prominent event for defining Eurasia’s strategic role in world affairs, exploring new avenues for international relations and promoting equal access to public information in the region as well as high journalistic standards.

By hosting sessions that analyse the current state of regional media and its development, discuss current issues affecting the development of the Eurasian media market, discuss the role and place of Eurasia in global development and peace building processes and create opportunities for building innovative partnerships and cooperation models, the forum is seen as a mechanism for enhancing international understanding of Eurasian issues and facilitating the professional development of Eurasia media.

The EAMF has also launched a series of annual conferences on Eurasia’s role in world affairs. The first five conferences, held in Almaty, drew more than 500 media, political and business experts from 60 countries. Attendees debated subjects including the changing patterns of international relations, post-9/11 diplomacy, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and media issues in covering terrorism, extremism and religious and interethnic tolerance.

Last year’s EAMF was attended by approximately 600 delegates from 46 countries. The event was covered by over 350 local and foreign journalists.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan will welcome the expected audience of 500 delegates to the 12th meeting of the forum, which will be held in Astana’s Palace of Independence. The talks will be summed up at the end of the event in a session with

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ADB Chooses Astana for Meeting Venue Choice Reflects Meeting’s Focus on Connecting to Asia Kazakhstan’s economic growth trajectory remains strong and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts the economy will maintain its current pace, posting gains of 6 percent in 2014 and 6.4 percent in 2015, in line with the visions of the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy.

“In 2014-2015, we project that the economy will maintain the pace and will grow at 6 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively. In the longer run, much depends on the success of industrialisation and development through innovation, improving infrastructure, encouraging investment, upgrading human capital [and] boosting productivity, as well as targeted support to help priority sectors,” said ADB Kazakhstan Country Director Matthew Westfall. The ADB has 28 offices around the region and is headquartered in Manila.

Westfall added that Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product per capita had grown by more than 17 times in the past 20 years, from about $700 to $13,000, and the country had graduated from a lowermiddle income country to an upper-middle income country.

“This stellar performance has been the result of both sound macroeconomic policies and a favourable investment climate. The country has also successfully weathered challenges and implications of the global economic crisis and has managed to maintain its investment grade rating. All that said, there is still much to be done.

Improvements in infrastructure and human capital and greater transparency in the legal and regulatory environment have all been flagged by investors as the most important reforms that will help increase Kazakhstan’s competitiveness,” he said.

“The importance of strengthening institutions and implementing reforms in the financial and other sectors is also critical. Risks remain in the banking sector, especially the problem of non-performing loans. Continued risk aversion of the banking sector could continue to restrict the private sector’s access to credit and hamper investment,” Westfall warned.

He said the ADB hoped to see the private sector taking the lead in transforming the economy, which can increase productivity and diversity through innovation and entrepreneurship.

“For this to happen, a sustained improvement in the business environment to promote greater private investment is needed. Clear, firm and decisively executed policies that are important for building confidence in the private sector are needed, and this applies to both foreign and domestic investors, he said.

The ADB’s annual Board of Governors meeting is taking place in Astana from May 2-5 and Westfall said the Kazakh capital had been chosen because of the meeting’s focus on connecting Asia to the rest of the world. He added the idea had been inspired by the famous Silk Road, which for centuries was one of the world’s most important trade routes, dominated by what is today Kazakhstan.

“Today, growing international trade in an increasingly globalised world means that a new Silk Road connecting Europe and Asia is a reality once again. This is an exciting opportunity for Kazakhstan and the rest of Central Asia, and we’re excited to be a part of making this possible,” Westfall explained.

Asian Development Bank Kazakhstan Country Director Matthew Westfall

stable investment destination and as a leader in regional and global discussions on key economic and development issues.

Turning to the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Programme (CAREC), Westfall said Kazakhstan had been an active participant since its launch in 2001.

“Kazakhstan recognises the important role of regional cooperation and integration in expanding its markets and diversifying its economy.

The country can benefit from leveraging its strategic location to facilitate global trade and transit between Asia and Europe along four CAREC transport corridors passing through its vast area,” the ADB’s Westfall concluded.

The ADB’s annual meeting will attract top policymakers, including central bank governors, finance ministers and private sector leaders, to the country. Westfall believes the meeting will help further affirm Kazakhstan’s regional and international profile as a desirable,

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Also In The News...

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President emphasises steady development of financial sector at banking and finance meeting President Nursultan Nazarbayev met April 16 with Governor of the National Bank Kairat Kelimbetov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov, Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Yerbolat Dossayev and others to discuss the National Bank’s reports on 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.

Kelimbetov briefed participants on the implementation of the country’s monetary policy and efforts to stabilise the financial sector. The President drew attention to growth in the financial sector, citing loan growth of 13 percent against last year, an increase in insurance sector assets by 18 percent, the National Fund growing by 22 percent to over $70 billion and other highlights. The President asked the government and National Bank to draft a concept to develop the financial sector by June.

After the meeting, the President instructed the government and National bank to reduce the number of non-performing loans, facilitate the banking sector’s transition to Basel III international standards, strengthen consumer protection, improve the quality of financial services and develop the securities market. (akorda.kz) President signs laws to improve policing, environmental protection President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently signed laws to strengthen Kazakhstan’s police forces, as well as to ratify international environmental treaties. The two laws on internal affairs agencies in the country seek to make the nation’s police forces more effective by defining their objectives and functions, improving their interactions with the public and strengthening social guarantees for their employees. The President also signed the law “on ratification of the Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,” adopted in Beijing in 1999. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that calls for the phasing out of the production of substances that deplete the Earth’s ozone layer. (strategy2050.kz) President Nazarbayev acknowledges Christians on Orthodox Easter President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the Saint Ascension Cathedral in Almaty on April 20 to congratulate Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday. President Nazarbayev wished Christians and the people of Kazakhstan good health, well-being and prosperity, noting the importance of the holiday as it unites people of all religions in the country. (inform.kz) Deputy Chairman of Assembly of People of Kazakhstan names assembly priorities Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and member of the Kazakh Senate Anatoly Bashmakov described the assembly’s three priorities at a Central Communications Service briefing on April 23. Assembly members should work more intensively in the regions, develop Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Mangilik Yel concept and reach out to the million-plus Kazakhs living in border regions, he said. “We should travel outside Kazakhstan’s regions and hold meetings with our compatriots and talk more about our Mangilik Yel concept,” Bashmakov said. The deputy chairman also mentioned the Department of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan established last year at Gumilyov Eurasian National University, which is intended to support scientific and methodological work related to ethnic tolerance. (strategy2050.kz)

House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mohamed Al-Sheikh Biadillah. Biadillah is in Astana on an official visit.

The officials discussed trade and economic issues, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and prospects for cooperation in alternative energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and other fields. Tokayev briefed Biadillah on the launch of the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and preparations for EXPO 2017 and the Congress of World and Traditional Religions in 2015 in Astana. The sides discussed the possibility of Morocco’s participation in both events. Biadillah reported on Morocco’s development and events in Africa and the Arab world. The country is implementing constitutional reform aimed at ensuring political stability and economic growth. (primeminister.kz, akipress.com) •

Kazakh repatriates can become citizens within one year For Kazakh repatriates, the term for obtaining citizenship will be reduced to one year, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Tamara Duissenova told a Central Communications Service briefing on April 22. The condition of proof of solvency has also been removed, she said, and the choice of what region to settle in will be up to the returnee. Social packages will also be provided to repatriates arriving in regions with a shortage of labour resources. “These packages will include allowances for travel, luggage transportation and rental accommodation provided by an employer for a period of five years. After five years, it can be privatised at residual value,” Duissenova said. (primeminister.kz)

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Foreign ministers of Caspian states discuss organisation of summit The foreign ministers of five Caspian littoral countries, namely Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, met in Moscow on April 22 to discuss preparations for the Caspian Summit, which will be held in the fall. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the dialogue would be at the highest level, reflecting the collaboration between the five countries. (inform.kz)

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Minister leads diplomats and ministry staff in ‘Subbotnik’ Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov led representatives of the diplomatic corps in Astana, members of his ministerial staff and international organisations in the city-wide greening event known as “Subbotnik” on April 19. The event is held every spring and has become an important tradition that sees participants plant trees to contribute to the beautification of the capital. (mfa.gov.kz)

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Kazakh Ambassador to the UK named ‘Best Ambassador in Eurasia’ The respected British magazine Diplomat has named Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom Kairat Abusseitove “Best Ambassador in Eurasia 2014.” Participants in the poll included 165 heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the U.K., members of the British cabinet and shadow cabinet, 650 parliamentarians, members of the House of Lords responsible for international relations, EU commissioners and British members of the European Parliament. (mfa.gov.kz)

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Almaty hosts Open Asian Powerlifting Championship Athletes from more than 10 countries are participating in the Open Asian Powerlifting Championships from April 21-27 in Almaty, being held for the first time in the city. Men and women of all ages – from juniors to veterans aged over 70 – are competing for cash and other prizes provided by the main sponsor of the Asian Mega Cup, a group of companies called the Astana Group, secondary sponsors and the organisers of the tournament. (astanatimes.com)

Prime Minister, Speaker of Senate meet with President of House of Councillors of Morocco in Astana Prime Minister Karim Massimov and Chairman of the Senate Kasym-Jomart Tokayev met recently with President of the

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