Astana calling no 383

Astana Calling

A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 383 / FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014

Nazarbayev Helps Launch KazakhstanTurkmenistan-Iran Railway

Fireworks, Holiday Mark Day of First President Celebrations

National Energy Policy, Global Markets Discussed in Astana

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The last section of a 928-kilometre Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway was opened in Turkmenistan on Dec. 3

Nazarbayev Helps Launch Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran Railway President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Turkmenistan on Dec. 3 to participate in the opening of the last section of the 928-kilometre Uzen-Bereket-Gorgan railway, which crosses Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, allowing a more direct delivery of goods.

“Due to the laying of the railway in the direction of the Persian Gulf, trade turnover this year increased by 38 percent. It is an unprecedented event. We have a lot of reserves for developing cooperation and should use them for the benefit of our peoples,” said President Nazarbayev during the ceremony opening the final Turkmenistan - Iran (Bereket - Gorgan) section.

He also said that the three-nation railway is creating jobs, enhancing trade cooperation and developing transit potential.

The opening ceremony was attended by Nazarbayev, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The joint declaration to build the railway link was signed by the leaders of the three states on Oct.16, 2007, with construction beginning in 2009. Kazakhstan’s 146-kilometre section was completed in 2012 and was linked in 2013 to the Kyzylgaa – Bereket section in Turkmenistan.

The three states built more than 900-kilometres of railway line from the Kazakh steppes across the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan to the mountainous province of Golestan in northern Iran. The project was implemented with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.

After the opening ceremony, a cargo train with Kazakh grain passed through the border of Turkmenistan and Iran. It was a symbolical act, taking into account that grain, oil and oil products are expected to dominate the cargo flow, with the new corridor significantly increasing Kazakhstan’s transit potential.

The importance of the railway for Kazakhstan’s grain industry cannot be overestimated, especially given the growing export of grain to Iran. Iran has already become the biggest buyer of Kazakhstan’s grain and barley. The export of wheat and barley from Kazakhstan to Iran nearly tripled from 280,000 tons to 786,000 tons in the first eight months of 2014.

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Nazarbayev also met during his visit with Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov. The two leaders emphasised the urgency of strengthening bilateral relations, developing business contacts and cooperating in education, science, culture and sports.

“Kazakhstan is an old and reliable economic partner of Turkmenistan.

However, the interaction potential has not been fully revealed. …

Both Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are able to considerably improve trade turnover and diversify mutual supplies,” said Nazarbayev.

Kazakhstan’s President also noted that the trade turnover between the two countries in the first nine months of 2014 increased 23 percent. “While the world is undergoing crisis and exports are declining, trade between our countries is expanding, approaching $500 million. At the same time, even this dynamic does not reflect the full potential of our cooperation. In the near future, the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Increasing Trade Turnover will be held,” President Nazarbayev said.

The Kazakh President was also honoured during his visit with the title of Honorary Elder of the Nation for his contribution to enhancing neighbourly relations between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

The Kazakh and Turkmen counterparts also signed an agreement between their governments on cooperation in maritime transport, a memorandum on the establishment of a Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan international telecommunications transit route, an agreement on the establishment of the Business Council between the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, an agreement between the Balkan Mayor’s office and the Akimat (Governor) of the Mangystau region on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural partnership and a memorandum of understanding between the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the International Turkic Academy.

“While the world is undergoing crisis and exports are declining, trade between our countries is expanding, approaching $500 million.”

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- President Nursultan Nazarbayev

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Kazakhstan celebrated the Day of the First President on Dec. 1, marking the date of President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s (pictured) first election in 1991

Fireworks, Holiday Mark Day of First President Celebrations Kazakhstan celebrated the Day of the First President on Dec. 1.

The national holiday and day off was established in 2011 after the Parliament adopted amendments to the law “On Holidays in Kazakhstan,” marking the date the country’s first President was elected by popular vote.

First and current President Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected Dec. 1, 1991 with 98.7 percent of the vote during the country’s first nationwide elections. Two weeks later, Kazakhstan gained independence and President Nazarbayev’s strategic vision and forward looking policies have since become an inalienable part of Kazakhstan’s evolution, shaping the country’s multiethnic society and turning it into a driving Central Asian economic power.

The celebrations in Astana began with a flag-hoisting ceremony and the presentation of a flag to the State Protection Service.

“Relying on public trust, on December 16, I was able to declare the sovereignty of our country. Therefore, there is a close link between the Day of the First President and the upcoming national holiday Independence Day,” said the President, addressing participants of the ceremony. “You are putting a lot of efforts into strengthening the country’s independence, confronting current threats, ensuring stable operation of the state machinery. Your work is inconspicuous, but the work you are doing is crucial for the country and its people.

I am sure that you will justify the credit of trust we have placed in you.” In conclusion, he wished the officers good health and success in serving their motherland.

The presidential standard was raised to the sounds of the national anthem on the central flagpole in front of the Akorda presidential residence.

Later in the day, President Nazarbayev lit the main New Year’s tree of the country in Astana. The 25-metre tall spruce was installed in front of the Astana Opera State Theatre. Approximately 8,000 metres of tinsel and 2,000 colorful balloons were used to decorate the tree.

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Nazarbayev congratulated Kazakhstan on the upcoming holidays and wished everyone happiness, prosperity and health. The ceremony ended with a fireworks show.

Addressing the gathering, President Nazarbayev said independent Kazakhstan is doing its best to create favourable conditions for the country’s youngest citizens. “Kindergartens and schools and sports facilities are made for you to be educated, healthy, to become true citizens of Kazakhstan who will lead our country forward. Our generation has established an independent Kazakhstan, and set everything out for your development. You are a happy generation because you were born and live in conditions of independent Kazakhstan. Be happy, may the upcoming New Year make your dreams come true. Let the fairy tales come true. I wish you to be joyful, happy and all your dreams come true. I congratulate you on this holiday and the upcoming New Year.

President Nazarbayev also visited the premiere of the film “Breaking the Vicious Circle.” The fourth film of the epic “The Way of the Leader” tells the story of the first President’s working career at the Karaganda Metallurgical Plant in Temirtau.

The lead role in the epic, as in previous versions, was played by young Kazakh actor Nurlan Alimzhanov. Russian cinema stars Valentin Gaft and Vladimir Steklov also had roles in the film, which was shot earlier this year.

“We all know that outstanding personalities create the history and multifaceted activity of our [country]. President Nursultan Nazarbayev is a shining example of devoted service to our fatherland for the benefit of all citizens,” Culture and Sports Vice Minister Galym Akhmediyarov told reporters. “The film will be released on December 4 in 50 theaters in 25 major cities of our country,” he noted. The filmmakers hope that the film will be popular not only among Kazakhstan’s viewers, but also abroad.

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Participants of the Nov. 25-26 25th Energy Charter Conference in Astana

National Energy Policy, Global Markets Discussed in Astana Kazakhstan’s energy policies, energy efficiency, and the future of the international energy market and global energy management systems, were key topics at the 25th Energy Charter Conference, held on Nov. 26 and 27 in Astana’s Rixos Hotel, with Kazakhstan as this year’s chair. Energy efficiency as a component of energy security was also a focus of discussion.

Energy efficiency as a component of energy security was also discussed. “Energy efficiency is one of major components of energy security of any country,” said Secretary General of the Energy Charter, Ambassador Urban Rusnak at the opening of the first day of the conference, as reported by Trend.az. “Today, it is a timely topic that needs special attention.”

Vice President of the European Commission for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič attended the conference as part of his first official visit to Kazakhstan. While in Kazakhstan, Šefčovič also met with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov and Minister of Energy Vladimir Shkolnik, both of whom attended the conference as well.

In a keynote speech on Nov. 27, Šefčovič reviewed the progress of the past year, commenting in particular on the organisation’s fiveyear review, the adoption of the Astana Declaration on its further development and the upcoming new International Energy Charter, which is expected to be signed this spring. “My message today is that the European Commission is fully committed to making the realisation of these goals a success,” he said. “The commission will continue to work in close cooperation with the EU Member States and all contracting parties and signatories to ensure that the new charter and the Energy Charter Treaty continue to be regarded as corner stones of global energy architecture,” the Energy Charter’s website quoted.

Kazakhstan, as chair, proposed changes to the Energy Charter process to help protect investments and resolve conflicts, an official Kazenergy press release on the conference noted. The country proposed creating an investment protection ombudsman for the energy sector, to operate under the Energy Charter Secretary General. The country also suggested initiating a voluntary disputeresolution mechanism to avoid conflicts in the energy sector at the national level.

“It is becoming abundantly clear that energy security has become one of the major challenges of our time. Economic growth stimulates the growing demand for energy resources. We believe that this course of action, as well as the search for new and renewable sources of energy, will gain increasing importance in the coming years. Neither companies nor states can solve this problem alone. We must respond to these challenges together. That is why we are taking active steps in order to ensure the active participation of Kazakhstan in all these processes,” Massimov said.

“We believe that the development of efficient energy markets is in our common interest, a common interest to manufacturers, transport and energy consumers. As an important partner for both the East and the West, Kazakhstan, as a bridge, plays an important role in the energy chain. We strive to ensure the diversification of energy supply routes. We are working to develop the CPC [Caspian Pipeline Consortium] pipeline [from Tengiz to Novorossiisk]; we are also expanding pipelines and gas pipelines toward China,” he concluded.

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The conference was attended by representatives of major energy companies and officials from Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

The Energy Charter was signed in 1991. Initially, the organisation was created to support energy interaction within Europe; over the years, the charter has expanded geographically to include countries from Eurasia. Kazakhstan has been a member of the Energy Charter since 1995.

“It is becoming abundantly clear that energy security has become one of the major challenges of our time. … Neither companies nor states can solve this problem alone. We must respond to these challenges together.”

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- Prime Minister Karim Massimov

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Also In The News...

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Kazakhstan and South Korea go visa-free On Nov. 29, an agreement on visa-free travel between Kazakhstan and South Korea entered into force. Now, citizens of Kazakhstan may stay in South Korea without a visa for up to 30 days, and vice versa. The agreement to go visa-free was signed this summer

by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. South Korea is one of the leading investors in the economy of Kazakhstan. The total volume of South Korean investment amounts to about $8 billion. The volume of bilateral trade in 2013 reached $1.3 billion. (mfa.gov.kz)

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Solar power plant in Shymkent launched A solar power plant with a capacity of 1 megawatt was launched in Shymkent during the International Green Economy Investment Forum. The $1.5 million project was constructed over six months.

Sixty percent of the energy produced there will go to power Water Resources Marketing LLP; the rest will be donated to the local urban network, said General Director of Water Resources Marketing Anarbek Orman. The company also opened a similar solar power station at the municipal waste water treatment plant.

The International Investment Green Economy Forum presented investment opportunities in alternative energy development in Kazakhstan and was attended by companies from the United States, Russia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Japan, China, South Korea and Malaysia. (kazpravda.kz)

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National Bank seeks membership in International Islamic Financial Market The National Bank of Kazakhstan has applied for membership in the International Islamic Financial Market and the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions.

Membership in these international Islamic financial institutions will allow the National Bank to receive qualified assistance in developing standards for accounting and auditing of Islamic financial institutions, as well as standardising structures of Islamic financial instruments for liquidity management. The application was submitted within the 21st Annual World Islamic Banking Conference in Manama (Bahrain). During the conference, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Nurlan Kusainov elaborated on a new paradigm of Islamic finance development in the world and the current state and prospects of enhancement of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan. (inform.kz)

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Kazakhstan sends electricity to Kyrgyzstan Samruk Energo announced recently that the Baturov Zhambyl GRES, which is an affiliate of Samruk Energo and generates 230 MW of electric power, began sending electricity to Kyrgyzstan on Dec. 1. It will supply electric power up to 1bln kWh until March 2015.

Electric supply issues were discussed during a state visit of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to Kazakhstan on Nov. 7, when President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced a decision to render assistance to Kyrgyzstan. (inform.kz)

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Museum of Modern Arts unveils Astana and President photo exhibition The Museum of Modern Arts of Astana unveiled a photo exhibition coordinated with the Day of the First President of Kazakhstan, highlighting the role of the head of state in the development of the capital. The museum will also hold travelling exhibitions at military units, the Zhas Ulan school and kindergartens starting from Nov. 25. (inform.kz)

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Diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar to raise cheer and money The seventh Diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar, one of the biggest events of the holiday season, will be held on Dec. 7 at Astana’s Radisson Hotel. Visitors will be able to win prizes, taste traditional dishes from different countries and buy goods from more than 40 countries. A number of countries will set up stands for the first time this year: Austria, Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, Estonia and Lithuania, who will run a group stand with Latvia, Palestine and South Africa. The raffle is one of the event’s major fundraising tools.

Five thousand tickets will be available for this year’s raffle, and the top prize is round-trip tickets for two to Paris, plus two nights in the Radisson Blu Disneyland Hotel. A trip to Georgia for three nights, two round-trip tickets to Vienna, a round-trip ticket to Istanbul, a Baltic cruise with the Tallink company and other restaurant, spa and housewares prizes will also be up for grabs. (astanatimes.com)

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Kazakh students awarded at World Robot Olympiad A team of students from Kazakhstan has been awarded one of 24 prizes at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Sochi. The team from Taldykorgan in Almaty oblast was awarded third place in the junior high age group. This year’s theme was “Robots and Space.”

Teacher Nikolay Avdyunin and his protégés, 14-year-old eighthgrader Ratmir Sartbayev and 15-year-old ninth-grader Bek Talgat, won for their robot prototype, which can be used to rotate space stations in space. Another group, which included 10th grade student Diana Karimova and 11th grade student Olzhas Keenaya and Russian students from Chelyabinsk and Novosibirsk won a special prize for “Hot Topic Projects” for a project to create a robot that could save the Earth from a collision with a comet in 2030.

The competition took place on Nov. 21 – 23, with 379 teams from 47 countries participating. (tengrinews.kz)

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Athlete from Kazakhstan wins World Street Workout Championship Kazakh Diyas Bidzhiyev won the Dec. 1 World Street Workout Championship in Astana. The championship included athletes from 75 countries, including big names such as street workout legend Hannibal For King. “To be honest, I didn’t expect it at all. I set my heart on it, but didn’t expect to win the championship. It was pretty difficult. All the athletes were great; they all brought their A game,” Bidzhiyev said. Street Workout is a physical activity performed mostly in outdoor parks. It is popular among young people and has been spread via YouTube. (inform.kz)

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

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