Astana calling no. 312

ASTANA CALLING

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Kazakhstan

Central Communications Service for the President of Kazakhstan

A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO 312 / FRIDAY, JULY 12 2013

President Nazarbayev meets President Putin in Astana Discussion of bilateral cooperation and international issues

Country-wide Mayoral Elections to increase Accountability Foreign Minister Visits Washington

New system in place

Trade and security issues top the agenda

Sport in Kazakhstan shows mixed picture Too few young people lead an active life

News from the Government in Brief

Also in the News

President Nazarbayev in discussion with President Putin in Astana on July 7

President Nazarbayev meets President Putin in Astana On July 7 President Nazarbayev held a meeting in the Akorda in Astana with the visiting Russian President, Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, notably the Customs Union; the planned Eurasian Economic Union; and cooperation on space issues. They also talked about the Inter-regional Cooperation Forum, which is due to take place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the autumn, and important international issues.

President Nazarbayev spoke encouragingly about the achievements of the Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus, which has led to a marked increase in trade for Kazakhstan, and the Single Economic Space of the three countries, which has followed the setting up of the Customs Union. He thanked President Putin for coming to Kazakhstan directly from the impressive opening of the XXVII Summer Student Games in Kazan (see “Also in the News”).

President Putin congratulated President Nazarbayev on his 73rd birthday, which he had celebrated the previous day; and he also congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on last weekend’s 15th anniversary of Astana becoming the capital of the country. The Russian President commented that President Nazarbayev had done a great deal for Kazakhstan, and, he added, “I am sure that you will continue to achieve even more”.

Noting that the two leaders had a great deal to discuss, Mr Putin chose to single out their cooperation in the sphere of space exploration. Russia depends upon the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to launch its manned and many other space flights, and earlier this month an unmanned Russian rocket exploded seconds after take-off from Baikonur. Mr Putin was referring to this when he said, “Unfortunately, space is the sort of area of human activity when things happen which nobody plans.”

The two Presidents also discussed a number of international issues. The current situation in Afghanistan and after the withdrawal of NATO forces is a matter of deep concern to both Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as to the other countries of Central Asia.

President Nazarbayev mentioned discussions he has had on the subject recently in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

They also exchanged views on the Middle East and North Africa, specifically the civil war in Syria and the unrest in Egypt. President Putin expressed his concerns about events in Egypt and said that he hoped that Egypt would not go the way of Syria.

The two leaders said they were looking forward to their meeting in Yekaterinburg in the autumn, where, President Nazarbayev added, it was quite possible that Kazakhstan and Russia would sign further agreements on friendship and cooperation.

“Relations between our two countries and between our peoples are developing dynamically; the intensity of the high-level meetings we hold and the regular exchange of opinions shows this. Our economic and political relations are very close; work is developing well within the Customs Union, the Single Economic Space and the Eurasian Economic Union which we are creating.”

President Nursultan Nazarbayev ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 2

Back to Contents

Foreign Minister Idrissov meets William Burns, US Deputy Secretary of State

Foreign Minister Visits Washington Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Erlan Idrissov, made an official visit to Washington DC this week and held meetings with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy National Security Adviser and Assistant to the President Anthony Blinken, US Trade Representative Michael Froman, and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. During these talks, the two sides highlighted the robust and growing bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and the United States and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the strategic partnership.

Mr Idrissov is no stranger to the US having served there as Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in Washington from 2007 to 2012. This familiarity with his hosts and the goodwill he helped to create between the two countries was apparent from the tone of the meetings. On the one hand, there were plenty of smiles: Washington was welcoming back an old friend. At the same time the dialogue was serious and business-like with a strong focus on further developing the well-established business ties between the countries.

The first meeting of Mr Idrissov’s visit was with US business representatives, in particular with representatives of those companies already working with and in Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and the US amounted to USD 2.5bn in 2012 – a solid figure, but one that both sides feel could still be improved. Much US business is centred on Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.

Mr Idrissov emphasized that while the “Green Economy” is a policy priority in Kazakhstan, this would not mean that the government is less interested in investment in the oil and gas sector. Nevertheless, Mr Idrissov made clear to his American audience that in order to implement the strategic goals of the “Green Economy”, annual investment of USD 3-4bn will be needed to develop wind, solar, nuclear, and water energy technologies.

As for security issues, the Foreign Minister left his American interlocutors in no doubt as to Kazakhstan’s concerns over what will happen around Afghanistan after NATO forces withdraw in 2014. Speaking at an Atlantic Council Roundtable on July 8 devoted to discussion of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, he pointed out that not only has Kazakhstan been a key ally for US forces as a supply route for non-lethal supplies, but that Kazakhstan itself has been supplying large amounts of food and energy supplies to Afghanistan, 80% of it free of charge. Kazakhstan has also provided education for Afghani students in its universities.

After US and other NATO troops withdraw, Mr Idrissov called for carefully targeted US aid to the whole Central Asian region, in what he described as a “Marshall Plan for Central Asia”. He was referring to the original Marshall Plan, which provided US support to Western Europe after the Second World War. One problem facing Kazakhstan that Mr Idrissov singled out as an area for cooperation was water management. He described this as, “one of the potential threats for Central Asia”, and agreed with the Secretary of State, John Kerry, that water management can open new markets for American business, technologies and expertise.

In a genuine sign of enhanced cooperation, and in the spirit of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, an important step forward was made on visas. The two sides announced that from August 1 this year Kazakhstan and the US will both issue multi-entry five year visas for all categories of citizens: diplomatic, work, tourist, private and student visas.

“America’s role in Central Asia and Kazakhstan continues to grow. Our government recognizes your country as an inextricable part of our vision for Kazakhstan’s future. We have a robust strategic partnership across a wide range of issues including Afghanistan and the Northern Distribution Network, Central Asia and the New Silk Road, non-proliferation, Iran, Russia and China.”

Foreign Minister Idrissov ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 3

Back to Contents

Second Meeting of the Kazakhstan-United States Strategic Partnership Dialogue The Second Meeting of the Kazakhstan-United States Strategic Partnership Dialogue took place in Washington DC on July 9 2013. The two sides recognized the progress made in the bilateral relationship since the inaugural Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Washington on April 9-10, 2012 and agreed the following:

Afghanistan and Regional Integration: The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s leadership role in supporting security in Afghanistan and the region, including through its assistance to the Afghan National Security Forces and contribution to the Istanbul Process. The United States values Kazakhstan’s $50 million scholarship program to educate one thousand Afghan students in Kazakhstan’s universities. The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s economic connectivity efforts, in particular, its investments in regional infrastructure such as the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan railroad and the Caspian seaport of Aktau. Kazakhstan and the United States will continue to work closely together to support stability, peace, and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.

Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation: Kazakhstan and the United States reaffirm their shared commitment to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Threat reduction and nonproliferation remain a cornerstone of our joint efforts to ensure global and regional security. The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish a regional Nuclear Security Training Center in Kazakhstan. The United States continues to support Kazakhstan’s offer to host an IAEA Low-Enriched Uranium Bank.

Security Cooperation: Kazakhstan and the United States affirm their continued collaboration in support of stability in the region, including through our joint efforts on counterterrorism. Our commitment to security cooperation is demonstrated by activities such as U.S. support for Kazakhstan’s peacekeeping brigade and the annual military exercise Steppe Eagle.

Democracy and Development: Kazakhstan and the United States reaffirm the importance of democratic development and efforts to strengthen representative institutions such as an independent media and local self-government. Both sides acknowledged the importance of a vibrant and varied civil society during the Strategic Partnership Dialogue roundtable on governance and human rights with non-governmental organizations. The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish a national development assistance agency, KazAID. Trade, Investment, and Energy: The United States reaffirms its support for Kazakhstan’s membership in the World Trade Organization and will continue to work with Kazakhstan to complete its accession process as soon as possible. The United States places high importance on the intensification of bilateral trade and investment cooperation with Kazakhstan. In particular, Kazakhstan and the United States will work together to support both the diversification of Kazakhstan’s nonoil sector and expansion of its role in global energy security. Kazakhstan and the United States agreed to organize a trade and investment mission to Kazakhstan in the near future. Kazakhstan and the United States look forward to the Energy Partnership’s 10th Annual Meeting in Astana in October 2013.

Science and Technology: Kazakhstan and the United States affirm their commitment to strengthen scientific and technical cooperation between scientists, engineers, and students at research institutes and in the private sector in the context of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology, which was launched on June 24-25 this year in Astana.

The United States welcomes Kazakhstan’s climate change initiatives such as the “Green Bridge Initiative” and Expo-2017: “Future Energy”. The United States also appreciates the willingness of Kazakhstan to host the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) headquarters office.

People to People Contacts: Kazakhstan and the United States affirm their commitment to increase people-to-people contacts between the countries. In this regard, both governments look forward to introducing five-year visas on a reciprocal basis for diplomatic, official, student, media, business, and tourist travelers from Kazakhstan and the United States.

“President Obama appreciates your country and understands the important role of Kazakhstan” US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 4

Back to Contents

Country-wide Mayoral Elections to increase Accountability

Marat Sarsembayev, a widely published specialist in international law, is a Member of Kazakhstan’s Electoral Commission

Ever since Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991, local leaders or mayors (akims in Kazakh), have been appointed by the central government. The “Kazakhstan-2050” Strategy, announced by President Nazarbayev in December 2012, defines the transition to electing akims as an important step on the road to greater democratization of the state. A key aim of this reform is to provide rural governors with additional powers to increase their influence.

Marat Sarsembayev, a member of the Central Election Commission, explains how the elections will work:

Over the period August 5 to September 9, 2013 akims of cities with district status, rural districts, settlements and villages will be elected, and not appointed as in the past. This move builds on trial elections held in 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2006. Reforms in the process of mayoral elections have benefitted from examining electoral procedures and practices around the world.

At this stage, the akims will be elected on the basis of indirect elections by secret ballot. The elections are indirect because akims will be elected not by the electorate as a whole, but by deputies of district or city maslikhats. This year’s elections will involve 2,457 akims in all 14 regions of the country. A total of 2,602 deputies in 188 maslikhats will take part in electing the akims in line with the “Kazakhstan-2050” Strategy which outlined the aim to have over 90% of all governors elected under the new system. Each maslikhat will have an electoral commission and 1,316 experienced staff will be involved in the commissions. The akims will be elected for a four-year period.

The current district akim will nominate candidates for election, in consultation with the local community. There must be at least two candidates in each election for it to be valid. Candidates must also satisfy certain criteria. They must be at least 25 years of age; have active electoral rights; meet the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On civil service”; have a higher education; and be a resident of the corresponding region. No one with a criminal record will be eligible for election.

Candidates are allowed to conduct election campaigns. However, state bodies and their officials (while performing their official duties) and members of electoral commissions or of religious associations are banned from participating in election campaigns or distributing campaign materials.

Each candidate may set up an election fund, but this must not exceed KZT 1,399,500 (approximately USD 9,000). The state will allocate funds from the national budget for the organization and conduct of each election, in order to pay the members of electoral commissions (who will have to take time off from their place of employment). The state will also provide funds for communication services, transportation and other operational costs.

Each district electoral commission will have additional tasks to ensure the smooth-running of akim elections. In addition to registering the candidates, tasks of the district electoral commission include adopting the ballot paper text, preparing polling stations with polling booths and ballot boxes as well as organizing the voting procedure. The voting district commissions will be also responsible for counting votes, announcing the respective election result, registering the elected akim as well as sending official notification of the election result to the akim of a district or city (and if necessary, re-run an election). The district electoral commission will publish election results in the media and register elected akims.

Rural akims have powers in around 70 areas with financing allocated for each function. They have their own office with up to seven full-time employees. This shows that considerable power and considerable financial resources are being concentrated in the hands of akims.

“The requirements are formulated in such a way that only really experienced, educated and honest people could fill the positions of akims.”

Marat Sarsembayev, member of the Central Election Commission.

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 5

Back to Contents

Sport in Kazakhstan shows mixed picture As the top sportsmen and women of Kazakhstan win more medals than ever before, a warning has come from the government that the number of young people actively taking part in sport is falling, and that more and more schoolchildren are becoming physically unfit.

Addressing the government at its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, Erlan Kozhagapanov, Chairman of the Agency for Sport and Physical Education outlined a mixed picture of sport in Kazakhstan today. On the positive side, the number of organized sporting events held in the country increased from 17,000 in 2011 to 18,000 in 2012. These involved more than 3.5 million people.

Erlan Kozhagapanov, Chairman of the Agency for Sport and Physical Education

At the highest level of sport, sportsmen and women from Kazakhstan won 316 medals in competitions in 2012, including a record haul in the Summer Olympics in London of seven gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

Kazakhstan’s athletes competing in the 2012 Paralympics achieved exceptional results. Three out of the top ten athletes at the London Paralympics were from Kazakhstan. In all, in international competitions in 2012, disabled athletes from Kazakhstan won nine gold medals, 19 silver and 25 bronze, 53 in all.

But if all this sounds encouraging for the development of sport in Kazakhstan, the other side of the coin shows a more worrying picture. Fewer than 30% of schoolchildren participate in sports clubs. And at the grass roots level the situation is even more worrying. Physical education in schools has slipped back to just two hours a week. The number of school students who successfully reach physical education standards has been going down in recent years. Last year, only 3.3% of the total number of participating school students of the 5th grade passed the presidential physical fitness tests; 3.8% of students of the 9th class; and 4.3% of 11th grade students. The national physical fitness tests were successfully passed only by 2.8% of participants. 5.4% scored “good”; 8% were below satisfactory or just satisfactory.

There is even an administrative problem: physical education teachers are supposed to receive an overtime bonus, which at KZT 17,697 is 45% of the basic salary. But this is paid at only half of the state educational institutions.

Alexander Vinokourov’s gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics was a high point for sport in Kazakhstan

The Prime Minister issued instructions at the meeting to correct these shortcomings. The Ministry of Education and Science, together with the governors of the regions and of the cities of Astana and Almaty are under instructions to reintroduce three hours of compulsory physical education classes in state schools in time for the new school year that begins on September 1.

They must also take steps to restore or open groups of medical physical training for children with impaired health at schools. And they must ensure that all physical education teachers receive additional payments for their extra-curricular work on the program of healthy living.

Compulsory physical education is being brought back to schools across Kazakhstan

Mr Akhmetov also told the Sports and Physical Education Agency together with the relevant authorities to submit as soon as possible the new version of the draft law “On Physical Education and Sports”.

“We need to focus on the development of public health, education and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. All state agencies, NGOs, the media and employers should be involved in this work.”

Serik Akhmetov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 6

Back to Contents

News from the Government in Brief New Oil and Gas Minister takes up his post On July 3 Prime Minister, Serik Akhmetov, introduced the new Oil and Gas Minister, Uzakbai Karabalin, to the government, following his appointment by President Nazarbayev. Mr Karabalin has had a long career working in the oil and gas sector graduating from the Gubkin Institute of Oil and Gas Industry in Moscow in 1970. Mr Karabalin has previously held a number of high-level posts including Deputy Minister for Oil and Gas; Deputy Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources; and Head of the state-owned oil and gas company, KazMunaiGas. Most recently, from January 2010 until his appointment as Minister, he was Director General of the Kazakhstan Institute of Oil and Gas. Mr Akhmetov also thanked Mr Karabalin’s predecessor as Minister, Sauat Mynbayev. Mr Mynbayev has been appointed as CEO of KazMunaiGas. (primeminister.kz)

Kazakhstan’s GDP up more than 5% in first half of 2013 According to the government’s figures, Kazakhstan’s GDP rose by 5.1% in the first six months of this year. This figure was confirmed by the Prime Minister, Serik Akhmetov, at the cabinet meeting this week. Investment for this period is up by 8%, a figure Mr Akhmetov described as, “not bad at all”. Another encouraging sign, the Prime Minister added, was that inflation stands at 2.7%; a low figure and one which the government should strive to maintain. (primeminister.kz)

Environment Minister speaks about failure of Proton-M rocket Minister for the Environment, Nurlan Kapparov, confirmed this week that the toxic chemical heptyl has not been detected either in the atmosphere or in soil samples in outlying villages close to where the Proton-M rocket broke up after its launch at the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 2.

Mr Kapparov was speaking at a meeting of the working committee of the Russia-Kazakhstan Commission for the Baikonur complex. The working committee took the decision to lead a bilateral investigation into the rocket failure. The Minister confirmed that the rocket broke up on territory leased by the Russian Federation – between plots 81 and 200. Test samples on air and soil were conducted immediately after the rocket failure and proved negative. According to Kazakhstan’s National Space Agency, the Proton-M rocket broke up and exploded within 10 seconds after launch. It was carrying three Glonass navigation satellites when it crashed. (Kazinform)

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 7

Back to Contents

Also in The News…

• Virtual VII Astana Economic Forum launched on G-Global While the VII Astana Economic Forum will not take place until May 2014, its virtual project is already up and running on the international “G-Global” platform. The idea of the virtual program is to open the formation of the Global Anti-Crisis Plan to as wide an audience as possible. The project is being run in conjunction with the United Nations. (ortcom.kz) • Kazakhstan to build cross-border transport and logistics center at Kazakh-Chinese border This week the Ministry of Finance announced plans to build a new cross-border transport and logistics center near the Kalzhat customs post on Kazakhstan’s border with China. The construction of the new center is aimed at integrating Kazakhstan into the international global transport and logistics network ‘Western China – Western Europe’. The center will contribute to developing the regional economy by creating new jobs in the border region as well as reducing transportation and logistics costs, and creating favourable conditions for transport and logistics services. (bnews.kz) • World Student Games taking place in Kazan The XXVII Summer World Student Games are taking place from July 6-17 in the city of Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation. In all, 12,000 students from 160 countries are taking part in the Games. Kazakhstan is represented strongly with 170 sportsmen and women taking part representing 20 higher education establishments. Kazakhstani, Nail Nurov, took part in the final stages of the torch relay which heralded the start of the Games.

Kazakhstan’s students made a promising start, winning one gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the first two days of competition. The gold medal was won by the weightlifter, Farhad Harki, in the 62kg weight category. A silver medal in fencing was won by épée fencer, Ruslan Kurbanov, in the Men’s Épée Individual Finals. (ortcom.kz / bnews.kz) • Head of Religious Affairs Agency marks start of Ramadan The Chairman of the Agency for Religious Affairs, Kairat Lama Sharif, congratulated all Muslims in Kazakhstan with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. In his address, he said that Ramadan marks the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. “May the grace of Allah strengthen peace, harmony and unity of the people of Kazakhstan,” he concluded. (bnews.kz) • New Consulate for Kazakhstan in Munich A ceremony on July 4 marked the opening of the new Consulate of Kazakhstan in Munich. The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries and politicians. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Germany, Nurlan Onzhanov, described the opening of the Consulate as one of the most important events in the history of Kazakhstan’s relations with Germany. (mfa.gov.kz)

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 8

Back to Contents

• Voting begins for EXPO-2017 logo From July 9-22 the people of Kazakhstan are voting for their choice of logo for the EXPO-2017 exhibition which is to be held in Astana. The theme of EXPO-2017 will be “Energy of the Future”. Voters are being asked which of seven logos best represents this theme. The seven choices have been shortlisted by the EXPO-2017 Committee from 56 entries submitted by 27 designers from 18 different countries. (ortcom.kz) • Celebrating Astana’s anniversary with music and water As part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Astana as the capital of Kazakhstan, the “Sound River” festival gave lovers of classical music three nights of concerts on a stage constructed on a pontoon on the Esil River. Performances included Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, “La Traviata” and big bands from Astana and Almaty playing jazz. (inform.kz) • Almaty Metro celebrates 10 millionth passenger Almaty’s underground metro system celebrated its 10 millionth passenger this week when Almaty resident Maigul Abdakimova stepped through the passenger ticket gate at the city’s Raiymbek batyra station. Employees of Almaty metro met Ms. Abdakimova as she entered the metro and accompanied her on the short journey to Abai station where she was greeted by Almaty’s Mayor Akhmetzhan Yesimov. Mr Yesimov presented Ms. Abdakimova with a certificate celebrating her achievement on becoming the 10 millionth passenger as well as a year’s free metro travel and also a commemorative gift. Almaty’s metro system is proving popular since opening in 2011. Today the metro carries 60,000 more passengers in comparison to last year. In 2014, there are plans to open two more stations in the west of the city to service the city’s residents. (zakon.kz)

ASTANA CALLING A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ Please send comments and questions to pressa@mfa.kz

ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 312 / 9

Back to Contents