Astana Calling
A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 381 / FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Kazakh, Swiss Presidents Discuss Trade and Ukraine in Astana
Kazakh-US Nuclear Security Operation Marks 20th Anniversary
Also In The News
Poll Finds Kazakhstan Citizens Feel Good About Their Country
Swiss Confederation President Didier Burkhalter (left) meets with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana
Kazakh, Swiss Presidents Discuss Trade and Ukraine in Astana President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-Office of President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-Office of the the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Didier Didier Burkhalter discussed with Kazakh officials(OSCE) economic Burkhalter discussed with Kazakhand officials cooperation cooperation with Kazakhstan the economic OSCE’s response to with the Kazakhstancrisis andduring the OSCE’s response to21-22 the Ukrainian crisis during Ukrainian Burkhalter’s Nov. visit to Astana. 20-21 Burkhalter’s Nov. 20-21 visit to Astana. Burkhalter met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev Burkhalter with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and and Foreignmet Minister Erlan Idrissov. The parties discussed the ongoing Foreign Minister Erlan Theasparties ongoing Swiss Swiss chairmanship ofIdrissov. the OSCE well asdiscussed signed a the memorandum of chairmanship ofbetween the OSCE. Also a memorandum understanding was understanding the Foreign Ministry ofof Kazakhstan and the signed between the of Foreign Ministry Federal Department Foreign Affairsof of Kazakhstan Switzerland.and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. During Nazarbayev’s last visit to Switzerland in January, the two Duringagreed Nazarbayev’s last visit to Switzerland in January, the two men men that their countries share the same positions on agreedglobal that their countriessecurity share the sameand positions global many and regional issues agreedon tomany strengthen and regional security asissues andcooperation agreed to within strengthen bilateral bilateral cooperation, well as international cooperation, as well as cooperation within international organisations. organisations. During Burkhalter’s visit, the presidents discussed the OSCE’s priorities, particularly in terms ofvisit, establishing peace in the Ukraine. the OSCE’s During Burkhalter’s the presidents discussed priorities, particularly in terms of establishing peace in the Ukraine. “This year required considerable efforts from the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE, especiallyconsiderable concerning settlement ofthe theSwiss situation in Ukraine “This year required efforts from chairmanship andthe other events [in the world]. Kazakhstan chairedof thethe Organisation in of OSCE, especially concerning settlement situation in 2010 and chairmanship] the Kazakhstan Astana Declaration was Ukraine and[during other our events [in the world]. chaired the adopted. Our country and we hope it will Organisation in 2010has andrelevant [duringexperience, our chairmanship] thethat Astana be used,” Nazarbayev said. Our country has relevant experience, and Declaration was adopted. During the Akorda presidential we hopethe thatmeeting it will beatused,” Nazarbayev said. residence, the two leaders also focused on cooperation in trade and economy, investment, education culture. at the Akorda presidential residence, the During theandmeeting two leaders also focused on cooperation in trade and economy, Nazarbayev noted that relations between the two countries have great investment, education and culture. potential for development. He added that in the framework of Kazakhstan’s industrialisation policy,between Swiss companies participate Nazarbayev noted that relations the twocan countries havein engineering, chemicalHeand infrastructure great potentialpharmacy, for development. added that in theconstruction framework projects. of Kazakhstan’s industrialisation policy, Swiss companies can participate in engineering, pharmacy, chemical and infrastructure Later on the first of day of his visit, Burkhalter met with Kazakhstan’s construction projects. Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. The Kazakh diplomat confirmed that Astanaonsupports theBurkhalter Swiss OSCE chairmanship and Later the first ofthe daywork of hisof visit, met with Kazakhstan’s appreciates its contributions to The solving the diplomat problems confirmed facing the Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. Kazakh organisation. that Astana supports the work of the Swiss OSCE chairmanship and appreciates its contributions to solving the problems facing the organisation.
ASTANA CALLING
Discussing the situation in Ukraine and the surrounding area, Idrissov Discussing theKazakhstan situation in Ukraine, Idrissov thatresolution Kazakhstanofis stressed that is committed tostressed a peaceful committed peaceful the conflict in the Eastern the conflict toin athe Easternresolution Europeanofcountry through a national Europeaninvolving country through a national dialogue involving international dialogue international mediation. mediation. Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York last Speaking during the UN General New York last September, September, Idrissov stated theAssembly positioninof the Kazakh Foreign Idrissov stated position of “It the isKazakh in the Ministry in the the following way: in ourForeign interestMinistry that Ukraine following way: “It is in our interest that Ukraine remains a sovereign, remains a sovereign, stable and independent state. Kazakhstan is stable and independent Kazakhstan is deeply concerned about deeply concerned aboutstate. the confrontation in which thousands of the confrontation thousands civilians have died. and It has civilians have died.inItwhich has caused deepofeconomic problems a caused deep economiccrisis. problems growing growing humanitarian Fromand the aoutset, wehumanitarian have done allcrisis. we Fromtothe outset, have done all we can to stabilise the situation. can stabilise thewe situation. Kazakhstan is clear in its belief that any Kazakhstan is clear in its belief that any conflict should be resolved conflict should be resolved peacefully.” peacefully.” Astana continues providing practical assistance to stabilise the Astana continues practical to stabilise the political political situationproviding in Ukraine. Withinassistance the framework of international situation in Kazakhstan Ukraine. Within the framework international organisations, has provided $40,000 of to support the organisations, Kazakhstan Mission has provided $40,000 to support OSCE OSCE Special Monitoring in Ukraine, which has paidthe special Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, has paidtospecial attention to the implementation of which agreements stop attention combat to the implementation of agreements to stop actions.as The actions. The special monitoring mission has beencombat acknowledged a special monitoring has been acknowledged as a relevant relevant instrument mission of the OSCE, demonstrating the organisation’s instrument of theeffectively OSCE, demonstrating organisation’s effort to effort to respond and swiftly tothe crises. respond effectively and swiftly to crises. On bilateral issues, Idrissov underlined that Kazakhstan considers On bilateral aissues, underlined that Kazakhstan considers Switzerland reliableIdrissov and important partner and is interested in Switzerlandand a reliable andcooperation. important partner and isof interested long-term beneficial A high level confidencein long-term and beneficial cooperation. A high level of confidence the in the political sphere was noted between Astana and Bern. inThe political was noted between Astana and bilateral Bern. Thetrade two sides two sidessphere commended dynamically developing and commended dynamically developing bilateral and economic economic relations, as well as cooperation in trade the political sphere relations, Kazakh-Swiss as well as cooperation in the political between inter-parliamentary groups. sphere between Kazakh-Swiss inter-parliamentary groups. Following the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of Switzerland is one of thethe largest trading partners and investors understanding between foreign ministries of Kazakhstan andin Kazakhstan. Last year, trade turnover between the two countries was Switzerland. $4.5 billion. Since 2005, Swiss investments in the Kazakh economy have totalled moreisthan billion. Today, more partners than 40 Kazakh-Swiss Switzerland one $12 of the largest trading and investorsjoint in ventures operate Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan. Last in year, trade turnover between the two countries was $4.5 billion. Since 2005, Swiss investments in the Kazakh economy have totalled more than $12 billion. Today, more than 40 KazakhSwiss joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan.
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 381/ 4
Back to Contents
Participants in the secret 1994 Kazakh-U.S. effort to secure nuclear material known as the Sapphire Project
Kazakh-US Nuclear Security Operation Marks 20th Anniversary In November 1994, the United States and Kazakhstan completed an unprecedented, highly secret, joint operation to remove approximately 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from a former Soviet nuclear plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk to permanent storage in the United States. The operation, dubbed “Project Sapphire,” was funded by the U.S. Department of Defence’s Cooperative Threat Reduction (NunnLugar) Programme. This programme helped secure nuclear warheads and fissile materials in the former Soviet Union and ensured their relocation to Russia from Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Kazakhstan’s early decision to become a nuclear-weapons-free state made it a global leader in the non-proliferation movement, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) underlined as it hosted an event in Washington, D.C. to mark the 20th anniversary on Nov.17. The unprecedented project was made reality thanks to a high level of trust between the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the 42nd President of the United States Bill Clinton. The project laid a solid fundament for Kazakh-American cooperation and later allowed the two countries to shape a strategic partnership between them. The event at CSIS was symbolically named “Project Sapphire: Twenty Years Later: Cooperative Threat and Lessons for the Future.” Keynote speakers included ex-U.S. senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar. They are best known as co-authors of the “Cooperative Threat (Nunn-Lugar) Programme.” Project Sapphire was implemented as part of this programme, as well as a set of other Kazakh-American projects to eliminate and decontaminate the infrastructure of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons left on Kazakh soil after the nation gained independence in 1991. Addressing the event, Senator Lugar underlined that President Nazarbayev had listened to the will of the people and took a step that many consider a prominent contribution to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and global security. Imagine what the world would be like today if not for the courageousness and leadership of President Nazarbayev, asked Senator Nunn. The Kazakh leader’s policy was aimed at ridding humanity of nuclear weapons and strengthening the systems of
Astana Calling
non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It has earned Nazarbayev the international community’s acknowledgement and strengthened Kazakhstan’s global leadership in disarmament, nonproliferation and nuclear security, Senator Nunn added. The event was attended by senior representatives of the Obama administration who twenty years ago engaged in the Project Sapphire, namely Laura Holgate, senior director of WMD Terrorism and Threat Reduction at the National Security Council, and Andrew Weber, former assistant secretary of defence in nuclear, chemical and biological protection. Holgate shared the memories of her work on Project Sapphire and her first trip to the young, independent nation of Kazakhstan. Project Sapphire defined long-term and consistent cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S., she said, adding that it has resulted in “an impressive strategic partnership” over a range of issues from the economy to green energy. “The conference’s goal was to not only sum up a certain stage of our cooperation but also define ways to lift it to a qualitatively new level,” said Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kairat Umarov. Speakers at the event included David Hoffman, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of “The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy,” and Richard Hoagland, principal deputy assistant secretary of state and former U.S. ambassador in Astana. The senior diplomat commented that Kazakhstan, “through its decision to carry out Project Sapphire, earned respect from around the world for its commitment to strengthening global security and for its support for international norms.” He added that “today, Kazakhstan is a leader in the region and a strong partner of the United States [that] continues to set high goals and is taking on a leadership role on the global stage.” The event was organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to the U.S. along with George Washington University’s National Security Archive with the participation of senior representatives of the Department of State, the Department of Defence, the congress, the intelligence community, business circles, academics, media and the diplomatic community accredited in Washington D.C.
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 381/ 2
Back to Contents
Kazakhstan’s Akorda Presidential Palace. A recent poll revealed most Kazakhstan citizens have a positive view of their country
Poll Finds Kazakhstan Citizens Feel Good About Their Country The results of a survey conducted by U.K. Market research company Ipsos MORI offers some insight into how the citizens of Kazakhstan feel about their rapidly changing country. The researchers contacted a sample of 1,000 adults aged 18 and older and followed gender, age and location quotas in trying to achieve a representative sample. The 10-question survey compared answers from a similar 2013 study. “Respondents display an increasingly positive attitude towards their country across the board, demonstrating growing support and consensus for the general direction of their government’s policies,” the researchers found. The vast majority, 90 percent of respondents, feel “fairly positive” or “very positive” about their country, they said, a 4 percentage point increase on 2013. Seven percent reported feeling “neither positive nor negative,” a drop from 2013’s 11 percent. Just 1 percent of respondents reported feeling “fairly negative” or “very negative.” The young generation was more likely to take a rosy view of things, with 95 percent of respondents under 24 – who grew up knowing only an independent Kazakhstan – saying they felt “fairly positive” or “very positive.” Kazakhstan’s northernmost region was the most cheerful: 97 percent registered feeling “fairly positive” or “very positive,” compared to 83 percent in Astana and 88 to 91 percent in other regions. Perceptions of the country’s economy saw a 5 percent boost: 75 percent of participants reported feeling “fairly positive” or “very positive” about Kazakhstan’s economic outlook, and just 5 percent of the sample group said they felt “fairly negative” or “very negative” about the economy. Two percent more people this year rated Kazakhstan as an improving place to live (83 percent saying it’s “a little better” or “a lot better”) while two percent fewer (3 percent) say things have gotten “a little worse” or “a lot worse” over the last 10 years. Forty percent of respondents say life has gotten “a lot better,” a big jump from 2013’s 26 percent. Respondents were asked to rate road and transport infrastructure, prices of everyday goods, education, policing, overall quality of life, healthcare, the justice system, the respondent’s own standard
ASTANA CALLING
of living, identifying and eliminating corruption, opportunities for individual social progress and job opportunities in Kazakhstan. They reported being only fairly satisfied with these aspects. Only 15 to 32 percent reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied,” while 5 to 16 percent are “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied.” However, “satisfied” or “very satisfied” results went up on all selected aspects by 6 to 15 percent compared to 2013. Respondents chose the same five positive terms from a group of 17 as last year: “hospitable,” “stable,” “peaceful,” “improving” and “successful.” Respondents also noted work yet to be done: 88 percent of respondents “support” or “strongly support” actively combating corruption to help to raise Kazakhstan’s international profile. (The new Anti-Corruption Strategy announced by President Nursultan Nazarbayev was adopted by the Nur Otan party on Nov. 11.) Respondents also supported actively combating social inequality (87 percent), contributing more to combating environmental problems (85 percent) and participating in international trade (84 percent). They do feel secure, however: 67 to 87 percent of respondents said Kazakhstan deals “very well” and “fairly well” with food, water, energy and nuclear security. Respondents were less enthusiastic about stepping outside the country: 15 percent “tend to oppose” or “strongly oppose” contributing more to resolving international conflict; 62 percent believe Kazakhstan should do more. Fifty-six percent “have never heard” or “have heard, but know nothing” about Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2017-18. Twelve percent “know a great/fair amount about it.” However, after a decade that included chairing the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), 78 percent of respondents think that Kazakhstan’s global standing has improved and 41 percent say the country’s standing has “greatly improved” in recent years. The survey results were made public last week by the Eurasian Council on Foreign Affairs, a new Brussels-based think focused on Central Asia’s relations with Europe.
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 381/ 3
Back to Contents
Also In The News... •
More Russian banks to enter Kazakh market, says Eurasian Economic Commission Minister of Economy and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission Timur Suleimenov said the number of Russian banks in Kazakhstan and Kazakh banks in Russia will increase during remarks to the Nov. 7 Growth of Financing in Kazakhstan forum in Almaty. He also said only banks complying with Kazakhstan’s legislative standards would be able to enter the country’s market and that Kazakhstan’s banking sector will adapt to ensure that remaining banks are competitive.“Consolidation is underway in the banking sector of Kazakhstan. … from the existing 38 banks today, maybe 20 or 15 will remain,” he said. Suleimenov added that the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a permanent supranational regulatory body of the Customs Union and Single Economic Space, must have common rules for the financial sector. (tengrinews.kz)
•
Kazakhstan and Russia to establish grain hub Kazakhstan and Russia will establish a grain hub to lower grain transport costs, said Minister of Agriculture Asylzhan Mamytbekov during government hour in the Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament). “We believe [a joint grain hub with Russia] is a possible and even profitable project, taking into account the fact that many Russian regions deliver grain from the south of Russia, Krasnodar Krai, Stavropol, with large transport costs,” he said. “We could carry out swap operations: for example, the markets in Moscow and St. Petersburg are approximately equal to Kazakhstan’s consumption market, and we could sell our grain in Moscow and take Russian grain near the Black Sea,” he added. (kazpravda.kz)
•
•
•
•
Global Entrepreneurship Week launches in Almaty The Nov. 18-23 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) has launched in Almaty. The week, run in 140 countries, is intended to spark business ideas in young people. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has sponsored GEW in Kazakhstan for two years. According to an EBRD press release, EBRD Kazakhstan Director Janet Heckman said, “Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kazakhstan will look not only at the role of young entrepreneurs, which has also been the focus in many countries, but especially at connecting experienced business people with start-up businesses.” Kazakhstan’s Entrepreneurship Week 2014 will be the largest start-up conference in Central Asia and will include round-table discussions, trainings and breakout groups on challenges facing entrepreneurship. (astanatimes.com) Georgia and Kazakhstan’s PMs meet Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili discussed bilateral trade, investment and transit-transport cooperation during Garibashivili’s Nov. 12 visit to Kazakhstan. At a press conference after the talks, Massimov said: “We reached a consensus on developing trade and economic cooperation. We are interested in the development of promising areas of the economy, such as transport, communication, the agriculture sector, tourism, et cetera.” He also said Kazakhstan is interested in completing construction on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line that will help bring its products to Europe by way of the Caspian Sea and Georgian goods to Central Asia and China. (astanatimes.com) EEU construction industry to be discussed in Kazakhstan Astana will host the Eurasian Building Congress, the first major event of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in this sector in early December. The event was organised by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan and will be attended by representatives of construction-related organisations in the EEU. The congress will allow EEU countries to compare notes on economic issues and develop standards for the construction industries in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Participants will also discuss preparations for EXPO 2017, to be held in Kazakhstan. (novosti-ru.ru) Kazakhstan’s symphony orchestra performs in Brazil and Argentina Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov attended the sixth Expert 200 Kazakhstan forum on Nov. 14 in Astana and noted the importance of implementing tasks from the President’s recent state-of-the-nation address. “The head of state adopted the decision to allocate money to stimulate Kazakhstan’s economy and its financial stability. We are making reforms together with … the World Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), [and] in cooperation with the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). I think that will allow Kazakhstan to avoid average earnings and attract private investment,” he said. Minister of National Economy
Astana Calling
Yerbolat Dossayev discussed administrative reforms in Kazakhstan, stressing the reforms are meant to increase the efficiency of public administration and reduce government interference in business. More than 300 representatives of Kazakhstan’s business community participated in the event and discussed improving interaction between business and government agencies. (astanatimes.com) •
Air Astana presents Almaty – Dubai flight Air Astana presented a new flight from Almaty to Dubai at the H Dubai Hotel in Dubai on Nov. 16. Kazakhstan seeks to utilise connections through Dubai to diversify its economy away from oil and into tourism and trade. In September, Air Astana resumed daily direct flights to the emirate from Almaty after a four-year hiatus. Twenty percent of the route’s traffic comes from connecting flights, higher than the global average of 13 percent. Peter Foster, president of Air Astana, discussed cooperation between Air Astana and Dubai International Airport with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and chairman of Dubai Airports. Foster noted the possibility of implementing Dubai-Astana flights prior to EXPO 2017 in Astana. (thenational. ae, inform.kz)
•
Kazakhstan to build radar space satellite Kazakhstan plans to build a radar space satellite to strengthen its space remote sensing system (SRSS), said Acting President of Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary Marat Nurguzhin during the Nov.13-14 international Days of Space 2014 seminar in Astana. The project includes developing a space remote sensing system consisting of two optoelectronic devices: high spatial resolution KazEOSat-1 and medium spatial resolution KazEOSat-2, as well as a ground satellite control complex and a ground target system for receiving and processing data. The third unit of the system will be a radar space satellite that can take pictures under any weather conditions, day and night. The project is to be implemented from 2016-2021. (vestikavkaza.ru)
•
Ilya Ilyin snatches fourth world championship Kazakhstan’s weightlifter Ilya Ilyin became a four-time world champion when he won gold at the Nov. 8-16 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Almaty. Ilyin lifted 190 kilogrammes in the snatch and 242kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new world record. Kazakhstan finished third overall in the championship, securing five medals: three gold and two silver. The country’s women took two medals: London Olympic champion Zulfiya Chinshanlo won gold in the 53 kg category and young weightlifter Zhazira Zhapparkul won silver medal the 69 kg category. Among the men, Zhassulan Kydyrbayev clinched gold and Vladimir Sedov silver in the 94 kg category. China came in first overall followed by North Korea. (inform.kz, astanatimes.com)
•
Pink Floyd shoots video in Kazakhstan British progressive rock group Pink Floyd shot a video for the song “Louder than Words” on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The clip touches upon the environmental problems of the Aral Sea. Its main characters represent two generations: young people who didn’t see the Aral before the 1960s, when its water was used for irrigation, and an older generation who know the sea of decades ago. The video was directed by Aubrey Powell, who has worked with Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Scorpions and Black Sabbath. “Louder Than Words” is from the album “The Endless River,” which was released on Nov. 10. (kazpravda.kz)
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 381/5
ASTANA CALLING A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ Please send comments and questions to pressa@mfa.kz
Back to Contents