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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ
ISSUE NO. 385 / FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014
President Notes History, Challenges in
Independence Day Speech
SCO PMs Seek Ways to Increase
Cooperation in Astana Meeting
Chinese Premier Visits Astana,
Countries Ink Energy Accords
Also In The News
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev
President Notes History, Challenges in Independence Day Speech
Kazakhstan celebrated 23 years as a sovereign nation on its
Independence Day, Dec. 16.
The Supreme Council of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
(KazSSR) adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the
Kazakh SSR on October 25, 1990, but independence is dated from
December 16, 1991, when Kazakhstan adopted the constitutional law
on its independence.
Independence Day was marked by a presentation of state awards by
President Nursultan Nazarbayev to prominent figures in Kazakhstan’s
cultural, scientific, health, education, business, military and other
spheres for their contributions to the country.
On Dec. 15, an Independence Day gala concert was held at the
Astana Opera. The concert was attended by the President, who gave
a speech.
“Time is rapidly separating us from the great day of Dec. 16, 1991,
when the Republic of Kazakhstan for the first time declared itself
an independent state. And every year we understand more and
more the power of the historical choice made by our nation. Our
new Kazakhstan was born under a lucky star. We are all united and
preserved, made stronger and more confident by the great spirit of
independence. It is embodied in every baby born under the clear,
sunny sky of Kazakhstan; in every citizen of our country; in every family
in Kazakhstan; in each new house, town and village,” Nazarbayev said.
“It becomes stronger with the growth of our economy, with every
new industrial project, with each new highway paved on the endless
expanse of our homeland, in each ton of golden wheat collected
from our fields. Independence was hard won by many generations of
our ancestors, who defended our sacred land with blood and sweat.
Independence is the unshakable determination of each citizen to
defend Kazakhstan, his or her home and homeland, as bequeathed
to us by our heroic ancestors, to the last drop of blood,” he said.
The President also discussed the country’s current path, stressing
that the new Nurly Zhol economic policy was designed to respond
to today’s challenges.
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“First of all, we are investing in infrastructure development in the midst
of global volatility. Secondly, by constructing high-quality highways
and developing communications, we will deepen cooperation with
our neighbours and within the region in general. Thirdly, massive
infrastructure projects will ensure the inflow of foreign investment
and provide long-term economic growth. Fourth, it is a strong
guarantee of employment, productivity growth and prosperity of the
people. Fifth, Nurly Zhol is a new opportunity for all regions,” he said.
Nazarbayev also cautioned that the global financial crisis and current
political instability would lead to increased risk.
“Today, all countries have difficulties. Global markets react by
lowering prices for hydrocarbons, metals and other products that
we export. Therefore, we will have to cut the costs of the already
approved budget,” he said. The cuts would not affect social spending,
the President said. He expressed confidence that the country could
maintain wage and pension levels while weathering the economic
crisis.
Continuing his discussion of the economic situation, Nazarbayev
outlined two important tasks set before the government and National
Bank of Kazakhstan: reducing Kazakhstan’s dependence on foreign
currency and transitioning to inflation rate targeting, which should
become part of the Nurly Zhol policy.
The President also remarked upon the coming 70th anniversary
of the end of World War II, saying perceptions of the past must be
comprehensive and forgiving.
“For us, the memory of the heroism of the war generation is forever
sacred,” he said. “We are people who treat their past with gratitude
and with great forgiveness. Our perception of the past should always
be whole and positive; it should unite all the people of Kazakhstan,
not separate them,” he said.
Concluding his speech, President Nazarbayev praised the history
of independent Kazakhstan as harmonious and united, and
said protecting and strengthening national unity is the greatest
contribution citizens can give. Only a strong, united, positive and
friendly country can succeed in the twenty-first century, he said.
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 385/ 2
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President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev (centre) addresses the Prime Ministers of SCO member states in Astana
SCO PMs Seek Ways to Increase Cooperation in Astana Meeting
The heads of the governments of the member-states of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met in Astana on Dec. 15 to
examine ways to increase trade, economic and humanitarian ties
between SCO members.
Before the meeting at the Palace of Independence, President of
Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev met Prime Minister of Russia
Dmitry Medvedev, Premier of China’s State Council Li Keqiang, Prime
Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Joomart Otorbayev, Prime Minister of
Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda, First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance
Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov, Secretary General of the
SCO Dmitry Mezentsev and Director of the Executive Committee
of the SCO’s Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure Zhan Xinfeng, all
in Astana for the council meeting. He commented that the SCO is
“gaining political clout.”
The SCO promotes stability and helps counter territorial disputes
and fight separatism, extremism and terrorism, Nazarbayev noted.
“We also need to address issues of food, environmental and energy
security. The SCO states have the capacity to meet their needs in
energy and food. In the framework of joint work, we can also solve
problems of water scarcity and access to other resources,” he said.
Nazarbayev also stressed the need to develop transport cooperation
within the SCO and mentioned Kazakhstan’s important ongoing
transport projects, including the Western Europe – Western China
highway. He also noted that Kazakhstan supports the initiative to
establish an SCO Development Bank.
During the council meeting, participants marked the SCO’s efforts
to incorporate more economic issues onto the agenda, develop
transport infrastructure and transit potential, as well as promote
innovation, energy and food security, and agriculture.
Addressing the council in an extended format, Prime Minister of
Kazakhstan Karim Massimov emphasised the need to develop the
SCO in an environment of global economic turbulence and rising
social tensions.
Increasing economic cooperation should be the cornerstone of
the SCO’s development, Massimov said. Developing transport and
communication infrastructure is crucial to this cooperation, he
stated, and Kazakhstan is ready to be part of an SCO transit corridor.
Massimov also said Kazakhstan was ready to sign the memorandum
of cooperation on developing and applying of risk management and a
protocol on cooperation between law-enforcement related customs
services.
He also called for an inventory of the current action plan to implement
a multilateral trade and economic cooperation programme and of
SCO project activities from 2017 – 2021.
Li discussed China’s willingness to promote agricultural cooperation.
“We are willing to allocate $50 million for the development of
technology,” he said. China is also ready to open glass, cement and
agricultural products processing factories in Kazakhstan, he said.
Medvedev emphasised transit cooperation and possibilities for
creating a common transport space within the SCO. “I think that
the agreement on the international road, signed in September, will
increase the interconnectedness of the SCO member-states. The
next step is a programme of coordinated development of highways,
currently being developed by SCO member-states’ departments,” he said.
On humanitarian cooperation, SCO Secretary General Dmitry
Mezentsev advocated combining European and traditional Chinese
medicine in an SCO institute of health and social support, saying it
would help fight the spread of infectious diseases, improve health
in the SCO population and increase the interaction potential of the
Ministries of Emergency Situations of the member states.
The Council of the SCO Heads of Governments was attended by the
prime ministers of Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia
and Tajikistan and by Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Prime Minister.
Observer countries Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan
were represented, as well as a number of international organisations.
At the end of the meeting, the parties signed a joint communiqué.
“We will conduct comprehensive work on the development of the
SCO Development Strategy to 2025, which will unlock the potential
of the organisation, to make it stronger,” he said.
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ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 385/ 3
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (third from left) meets with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev (across from Keqiang) in Astana
Chinese Premier Visits Astana, Countries Ink Energy Accords
Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang and Prime Minister
of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov signed $14 billion worth of accords
during Li’s Dec. 14 – 15 visit to Astana, including agreements on
nuclear energy, mineral resources development and the use of
national currencies in commercial operations.
“The interest of Chinese business in Kazakhstan is very high. In turn,
I can confirm that this is a mutual interest. It is a pleasure to say that
trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China is
expanding. In today’s unstable economic situation across the world,
our countries should use the potential of our friendship to solve
important problems for the benefit of our countries,” Li said.
Li and Massimov discussed their national macro-economic policies
and agreed to hold follow-up meetings to address international
fluctuations in the price of hydrocarbons, especially crude oil.
Massimov commented on Kazakhstan’s efforts to create good
conditions for foreign investment in the industrial and manufacturing
sectors and the creation of high-tech industries with high added
value.
The two nations agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy,
including moving power supplies from Kazakhstan to China and
through Chinese territory to other countries. The countries also
created a joint venture for producing nuclear fuel, which will see
Kazakhstan export uranium to China’s nuclear centres and on to other
countries. Memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation in
the nuclear industry were also signed between Kazakhstan’s Ministry
of Energy and Atomic Energy of China and KazMunayGas and the
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), both state-run
hydrocarbons consortia, agreed to enhance cooperation in exploiting
Kazakhstan’s South Kumkol and Kalamkas oil reserves during Li’s visit.
between their countries, part of efforts to create a new Silk Road
trade corridor from China to Europe.
Several joint projects to modernise Kazakhstan’s coal industry to
better produce coal, diesel fuel, synthetic natural gas and other
chemical products were also launched.
Li was received by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev
in the Akorda Presidential Residence. Nazarbayev noted the two
countries’ ongoing transportation and infrastructure projects as
well as Chinese involvement in the production of oil in Kazakhstan.
Nazarbayev also expressed support for China’s proposal to create a
fund and development bank to finance infrastructure projects within
the New Silk Road corridor first proposed by Chinese President Xi
Jinping during a visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013. Xi’s vision
includes the creation of modern highways, railways and oil pipelines
across China and Central Asia, as well as increased economic
consultation and general cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy and China’s National
Development and Reform Commission agreed to jointly promote the
Silk Road Economic Belt.
Non-energy sectors offering the most potential for cooperation are
mineral resources, machinery manufacturing and agriculture, Li said.
“This has been perhaps one of my most fruitful visits in recent
years, as China and Kazakhstan have launched mutually-beneficial
cooperation,” Li said, concluding his visit.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan and the People’s Bank of China
signed agreements on mutual settlements in national currencies and
on swapping Kazakh tenge and Chinese yuan. The agreements are
expected to enhance both countries’ global competitiveness and
resilience to financial risks.
China and Kazakhstan’s national railroad companies also signed a
cooperation agreement to promote the transport of merchandise
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ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 385/ 4
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Also In The News...
•
President Nazarbayev: National Fund to help safeguard
Kazakhstan’s economy
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has instructed the
government to follow his new Nurly Zhol economic policy and
use revenue from the National Fund to reduce Kazakhstan’s dollar
dependence and control inflation. At an event at Astana Opera on
Dec. 15 marking Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, he called the fund
“an important security mechanism for the economy.” The onetime investment in the economy from the fund will include new
mechanisms for growth, he said. The President stressed that the
government will maintain the current volume of social assistance
and expressed confidence that when the global economy settles
again, “we will go back to the policy we were following and again see
growth in all areas.” (kazpravda.kz)
•
Kazakhstan’s universities ranked among best in the world
Kazakhstan’s universities have been included in British company
Quacquarelli Symonds’ (QS) list of the best universities in the
world. The ranking covered 30 countries in Central Asia and what
it termed “emerging Europe.” Russia dominated the ranking with 26
universities led by Moscow State University, which was ranked first
overall and is also highly rated in QS’s World University Ranking and
BRICS University Ranking. Russia’s Novosibirsk State University
shares second place with Charles University in the Czech Republic.
Turkey and the Czech Republic had the next-largest numbers of
universities in the list, followed by Poland, Kazakhstan, Hungary
and Ukraine. (inform.kz)
•
Air Astana launches Astana – Bangkok route
Air Astana has announced the launch of a direct flight between
Astana and Bangkok. The service will initially operate on Mondays
and Thursdays, in addition to the existing daily service between
Bangkok and the old Kazakh capital, Almaty. The new Astana
– Bangkok route is being operated with a Boeing 767-300ER
aircraft with 30 business class seats and 193 economy class seats.
Announcing the launch, Air Astana President Peter Foster said
business and leisure traffic between Kazakhstan and Thailand was
growing strongly. (thephuketnews.com)
•
Kazakh language now part of Google Translate services
The Kazakh language is now among the offerings of the Google
Translate online global translating system, founder and director of
the WikiBilim Public Foundation Rauan Kenzhekhanuly announced
on Dec. 12. Translations are available from English to Kazakh and
back. The project, which began by translating articles for Kazakh
Wikipedia, took a year and a half to complete, Kenzhekhanuly said.
Soon, translations between Kazakh and Russian will be available, he
promised. Kazakh joins 90 other languages available on the system.
(astanatimes.com)
•
Mobile phone supports Kazakh language learning
The Fund for the Development of the State Language in Astana
presented a mobile application of their Soyle.kz online Kazakh
language course as well as a new children’s study portal, Bala.soyle.
kz, “Kazakh for Children.” The new applications make studying
Kazakh more accessible, said fund director Azat Shaueyev at a
Central Communications Service briefing announcing the launch
of the app. Soyle.kz was first launched one year ago and has since
been used by more than 250,000 people across the country, he said.
The new application and children’s site were designed in response
to objectives set by President Nursultan Nazarbayev on promoting
and developing the state language in Kazakhstan. (kazpravda.kz)
•
Electronic bus fare collection system to be introduced in Astana
An electronic fare collection system will be introduced in Astana’s
urban public transport. Fares will be calculated depending on
distance, with maximum fares not to exceed 90 tenge ($.49). The
Astana LRT company reported that special electronic cards for
privileged categories of citizens would be created. Other residents
and visitors can purchase cards and fund them through special
terminals and offices. The project is to be launched by summer 2015.
This system will be implemented first in conventional passenger
buses and later in the BRT express city buses. (kazpravda.kz)
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•
Atyrau Orchestra performs in Paris in honour of Kazakhstan’s
Independence Day
On Dec. 15, the eve of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, the Atyrau
Dina Nurpeisova Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments gave a
concert at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters. The concert celebrated
the inclusion, announced in November, of Kazakh dombra kyi (a
traditional stringed instrument) performance and the making of
Kazakh and Kyrgyz yurts on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
list. The concert was attended by UN experts on education, science
and culture. The orchestra from Atyrau is touring Europe for the
second time this year. In spring, the artists gave performances
dedicated to Nauryz, Kazakhstan’s traditional new year, in Turkey,
Germany and Austria. (kazpravda.kz)
•
Direct Almaty – Minsk flight being considered
A direct flight between Almaty and Minsk would increase tourist
flow between the two countries, Ambassador of Kazakhstan
to Belarus Yergali Bulegenov announced on Dec. 16 at a press
conference on Kazakhstan’s Independence Day. The flight is
under consideration, he said. Regular twice-weekly flights between
Astana and Minsk were launched two years ago; now, packed flights
run daily between the two cities, the ambassador noted. (inform.kz)
•
Charity ball in Astana raises $71,000 for vulnerable children
The seventh Winter Charity Ball held at Astana’s Radisson Hotel
on Dec. 14 raised $70,815 for educational programmes for children
from orphanages and low-income families, organisers said. The ball
was sponsored by the Nur Otan party and organised with the help
of the Bolashak Association and the Radisson Hotel Astana.
The funds raised through the ball have been used to renovate the
SOS Children’s Village in Astana and the Nur orphanage in Talgar.
The funds have also been used to help construct game and concert
halls and purchase specialised medical equipment for the Child
Mental Health and Social Institution of Astana. (astanatimes.com)
ASTANA CALLING / ISSUE 385/ 5
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