A meeting of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in extended format was held at present in Akorda palace on December 12, 2009.
The Head of the State congratulated Hu Jintao and Chinese people on the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and noted that “being an authoritative world power China plays a key role in strengthening good-neighborhood, security not only in Asia but also in the entire world and demonstrates stability and development even amid the global financial crisis”.
“It is a pleasure for me to highlight good-neighbor trustful character of the Kazakh-Chinese relations. You personal understanding of development of our interaction promotes it significantly. This is your 5th visit to Kazakhstan and we the 18th meeting in the past seven years set the best pattern of trust and confidence in our relations”, N. Nazarbayev said.
“The People’s Republic of China and you personally expressed us great support in the crisis period having extended huge loan for the development of the Kazakh economy”, the President stated.
“Today we have witnessed an important event of the new stage of our relations construction of Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-China transcontinental gas pipeline and Caspian Sea-Western China oil pipeline”, N. Nazarbayev added.
Chairman of the People’s Republic of China is paying a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan.
The diplomatic relations between the countries were established January 3, 1992. To date Kazakhstan ranks the second after Russia in China’s foreign trade turnover. The commodity turnover between the states made USD 12.24 bln in 2008. In January-August of the current year this figure was USD 6.2 bln (USD 3.435 bln of export and USD 2.585 bln of import).
PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN VISITS TURKMENISTAN
Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev on December 13 left with a working visit to Turkmenistan to take part in the launching of “Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – China” gas pipeline.
The launching ceremony will be held on December 14, 80 km away from Turkmenobad city, near Samandepe minefield. The Head of the State participating in the project will take part in the ceremony.
The pipeline will provide supply of the Kazakh gas from west minefields of the country to south regions as well as gas supplies from Turkmenistan to China.
During the visit Presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov negotiated the issues of bilateral cooperation in the narrow format.
The coming launching of “Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan – China” gas pipeline was discussed as well.
N.Nazarbayev noted that the implementation of the project is an overall success of the participating countries. Speaking about the bilateral cooperation the Head of the State noted that there are no problems between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The Kazakh President also told about the construction of “Uzen-Gyzylgaya-Bereket-Etrek-Gorgan” railway connecting Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. This transport corridor is aimed at improvement of conditions of transiting to European countries, Iran, Turkey, and Gulf states.
End of year of Kazakhstan in Germany
The results of the year of Kazakhstan in Germany have been summarized during a business trip of the Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev. At negotiations with authorities of Germany, the head of the foreign ministry of Kazakhstan discussed crucial issues of bilateral cooperation.
In Berlin, they ratified agreements on the reception and transit of persons and the release of diplomatic passport owners from visa requirements. At negotiations with the vice chancellor and foreign minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle, they discussed the chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the OSCE in 2010.
Guido Westerwelle, Vice Chancellor, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany:
- We support this decision. For Kazakhstan it is a great chance and responsibility at the same time. We highly appreciate the reforms which your country has chosen and would like to support you.
At the meeting with Hans-Dietrich Gensher, the former chancellor of Germany, Kanat Saudabayev noted that today Kazakhstan and Germany have serious prospects for widening their relations. Talking about plans on the chairmanship of the OSCE, Kanat Saudabayev said that the country is to lay emphasis on issues of nonproliferation and approaching the East and West. Conducting the summit of the OSCE in Kazakhstan will become the first step. At the Berlin Palace of world cultures, where the formal conference took place, Kanat Saudabayev summarized the results of the Year of Kazakhstan in Germany campaign as part of which Kazakhstan tried to show Germany all sides of their life. He expressed hope that Germany found out a lot of interesting things about Kazakhstan.
Kanat Saudabayev, Secretary of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs of RK:
- During one year, we organized 19 political, 27 economic and 54 cultural events and I believe that it helped a lot in strengthening mutual understanding between our nations. I would like to thank our German friends, who favoured the Year of Kazakhstan in Russia.
The year of friendship finished with a concert which involved outstanding cultural figures of Kazakhstan. The artists presented the audience with a lot of positive emotions and the audience responded with applause.
Helena Charent, writer:
- I have read a lot about Kazakhstan and was amazed by the greatness of your country. First of all, it is connected with its residents. It was a great concert and it involved only a modest portion of your talents.
Christian Schmidt, engineer:
- This year, I visited Kazakhstan for the first time and was amazed by the beauty of Astana. It is an amazing city. Our countries have very strong economic and cultural links. Our countries are like parts of one mechanism fitting together.
Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship Logo Launched
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the logo of its chairmanship in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at a press briefing in Astana on December 7.
The logo combines the two most prominent features of the flag of Kazakhstan, the golden sun and the soaring eagle, with the OSCE official four-letter logo and the words “Kazakhstan 2010”.
The sun in the logo symbolizes energy, revival and time. By displaying the sun, Kazakhstan confirms its commitment to universal values and openness to the international community.
In the language of symbolism, the silhouette of a soaring bird stands for strength, breadth and vision. For the people of the steppes, this is also a symbol of freedom, independence, aspirations towards high goals and a flight into the future.
“The eagle (berkut in Kazakh) helps better understanding of the spirit of a free Nomad, a hospitable host, a true ally and a fair partner ready to help at any time. Here, in addition to symbolizing the protector of right and freedoms, berkut also signifies an impartial observer soaring high up in the skies of Democracy and Cooperation,” the designers of the logo, Baiterek-Orleu company, said in their brief.
The logo, closely associated with Kazakhstan’s state symbols, reflects the key idea behind Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the OSCE. The symbols reflect modern realities which are key for Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop and strengthen the organization.
Kazakhstan Works for Cleaner Environment
(Steps made to reduce pollution, meet Kyoto goals)
These days the world’s attention is glued to Copenhagen where the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change takes place. The conference is expected to adopt a policy document that will lay the groundwork for future comprehensive, legally binding climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2012.
A Kazakh delegation led by Minister of Environmental Protection Nurgali Ashimov participates in the debates seeking to provide its input in the debate.
Kazakhstan is a country heavily hit environmentally by two major manmade disasters of the 20th century, the 500 nuclear weapon tests at the Semipalatinsk test site and the drying up of the Aral Sea due to diversion of water from Amu Dariya and Syr Dariya rivers for irrigation. The country has also been heavily industrialized in the second part of the last century, resulting in high levels of industrial pollution.
Against this background, the people in Kazakhstan have been particularly conscious of the need of greater efforts to protect and restore the environment. The former nuclear test site was shut down in 1991, while joint projects with the World Bank allowed reversing somewhat the drying up of the northern part of the Aral Sea.
Other steps are being taken toward cleaner air and environmental protection at the national level.
In March 2009, Kazakhstan ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. According to the document the country must reduce emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Since ratification all major facilities are being monitored for environmental compliance of the protocol. Kazakhstan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by 2020, and by 25 percent by 2050, in full accordance with the Kyoto Protocol.
Since last July, the government restricted the import of automobiles not meeting the Euro-2 standard. From January 1, 2011, Euro-3 standard will be implemented, and the Euro-4 standard will be introduced in 2014. Previously, the importation of cheap used cars has allowed small and medium businesses of the country to earn their first money. Today, when most entrepreneurs have accumulated capital, it is time to draw public attention to the environment.
Almaty, a city with one of the highest levels of pollution in Kazakhstan introduced a program to reduce air pollution till year 2018. Trucks are now restricted from entering the centre of the city, many trees are being planted, transport interchanges are built to reduce congestion. The city’s department of natural resources noted a slight shift for the better in the pollution index in August 2009 compared with August 2008, with a drop of almost three points.
This year, Kazakhstan has also for the first time taken part in “Earth Hour” meant to draw public attention to climate change. On this day, lights are switched off for one hour. This year lights at Baiterek Tower (the symbol of Astana), the Ak Orda presidential palace, and another 100 buildings at Astana were turned off. Initially the action was planned only in Astana and Almaty, but it was supported by 88 cities across Kazakhstan.
All future efforts in environmental protection will be carried out in accordance with a new program, “Ecology of Kazakhstan” running from 2010 to 2020.
One of the program’s objectives is the creation of a Zhasyl damu (green development) national centre of environmental development for integrated management of waste production and consumption. Its main purpose is the construction of factories to produce recycling equipment. Today, the country exports its persistent organic pollutants for recycling to Germany.
The program also incorporates a number of investment projects, which will be designed in accordance with today’s requirements. The main section of the program is devoted to addressing waste production and consumption, and it also provides financing to change the status in the sphere of ecology.
Prime Minister, UNICEF Regional Director for CIS met in Astana
On December 10 in the Ukimet Uyi Prime Minister Karim Massimov has met with UNICEF Regional Director for CIS Steven Allen for discussing the issues of further cooperation of Kazakhstan and the Organization, the PM’s press service informs.
In particular, the parties focused on a plan of cooperation in healthcare, family and marriage affairs as well as juvenile justice for the nearest six years drafted by both sides together on the basis of Kazakhstan’s current legislation.
Mr. Allen expressed confidence that “being a member of the Executive committee of the UNICEF Kazakhstan will contribute to it on the global level”.
“We are pleased by the quality and level of our relations. Indeed Kazakhstan targets on usage of all existing resources for the benefit of youth, younger generation despite the economic crisis”, S. Allen said.
In turn K. Massimov confirmed the readiness of the Kazakh Government to expand interaction with the UNICEF.
The parties stated strengthening cooperation and expressed confidence in further fruitful cooperation.
Government Cooperates with UNICEF on Children’s Rights
(Kazakhstan is keen to expand cooperation further)
Prime Minister Karim Masimov said Kazakhstan’s Government would like to expand its cooperation with UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) when he met the Fund’s CEE/CIS Regional Director Steven Allen in Astana on December 10.
They discussed prospects for cooperation in the area of health, family and marriage, and juvenile justice within the next six years.
Mr. Allen expressed his satisfaction with the measures of the Kazakh Government which continues to conduct strong social policies in the best interests of youth of the country despite the economic crisis. “Kazakhstan, which became a member of the executive board of UNICEF, will now contribute at the global level,” he said.
“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth”, said in an opening speech UNICEF Representative Hanaa Singer addressing over 2,500 young people at the first ever Adolescents and Youth Forum “We are the Peers of Our Country’s Independence” organized together with the Ministry of Education and Science of the RK, that was held in Astana on December 7, 2009.
One hundred and fifty young people elected from the country’s 16 regions representing diverse background, gender and social status led a six-month “bottom up” consultative process. The process surveyed over 2,000 children, adolescents and youth across Kazakhstan – from cities and villages, from urban and rural areas, girls and boys, children with disabilities, children living in orphanages, in the age groups of 10–24 – to identify issues of concern, dreams and possible ways to solve their problems.
Consultations resulted in a document representing the views, opinions and recommendations of adolescent and youth priorities in eight areas, including education, health services, healthy lifestyles, employment, psychosocial issues, stigma and discrimination and leisure.
On December 4, a conference “The 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Contemporary Challenges and Innovations in the Republic of Kazakhstan” took place at the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana commemorating the date and the 15th anniversary of its ratification by the nation.
The Commissioner for Human Rights of Kazakhstan, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Foreign Ministry, the Delegation of the European Union and the UN Children’s Fund in Kazakhstan were among those who contributed to arranging the conference. The event looked at key landmarks in protecting child’s rights and celebrated progress achieved in the past two decades as well as discussed modern challenges to the CRC in Kazakhstan.
UNICEF office in Astana also works actively to attract prominent figures of the Kazakh society to raising public’s awareness of the issue. On November 20, the day of the 20th anniversary of CRC, the office nominated a musical artist Batyrkhan Shukenov as a first UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in the country. From now on the popular singer becomes the public face of the campaign to guarantee best protection of Kazakhstani children’s rights.
Kazakhmys to raise production capacities by 30% in nearest five years
In the nearest five years Kazakhmys Corporation plans to increase its production capacities by 30% and invest USD 4 bln in it, Chairman of the Board of the Company Eduard Ogai has said.
“In accordance with our five-year program we will start construction of two large units – Bozshakol and Aktogai which will let enhance capacity by 30%. In average the investments in these two projects are planned to make about USD 4 bln”, E. Ogai said delivering a speech at the II Congress of the Workers of Ore-Mining Industry in Astana.
Aktogai and Bozshakol are the largest copper fields where two mining and processing works will be built.
Kazakhmys Corporation LLP is the largest copper producer of Kazakhstan. The volumes of its production let it rank among the world leaders in copper extraction.
ECONOMIC AND RELATED BLOCK
Kazakhstan to build 34 pharmaceutical plants – Industry & Trade Minister
34 pharmaceutical plants will be built in Kazakhstan in the nearest future. Kazakh Minister of Industry and Trade Asset Issekeshev said it during a roundtable on Kazakh content held in the Senate in Astana on Friday, December 4.
He said that Kazakhstan’s companies work over those projects. Within the framework of the State Program on Forced Industrial Innovative Development the state bodies hold tenders. “However, the state will support only competitive projects”, the Minister stressed.
Kazakh-British Academy to open in Almaty
A Kazakh-British Academy which will specialize in coordination of the activity of the Central Asian scientists will be opened in Almaty.
On Wednesday, December 9, there was held the first international inaugural meeting of the Kazakh-British Academy under the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain.
As Director of the Institute of Cultural Policy and Art Studies Yerlan Sairov informed on September 1-8 a Kazakh delegation participated in international conferences at the University of Cambridge and the Royal Asiatic Society = which were devoted to historical and modern aspects of Kazakhstan’s development in the context of East-West dialogue of civilizations. Following those meetings the parties reached an agreement with the Royal Asiatic Society regarding opening of the Kazakh-British Academy which would coordinate the activity of the scientists of Central Asia.
“Creation and activity of the Academy will serve for formation and popularization of Kazakhstan’s intellectual potential, accession of our country to the European and global academic and cultural space”, Mr. Sairov said.
According to Chairman of the Cambridge Central Asian Forum Siddharth Saxena adoption of Path to Europe Program by President N. Nazarbayev and our forthcoming OSCE chairmanship are our main directions in actualization of the role and importance of our country on the international arena.
As Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Askar Buribayev noted, popularization of Kazakhstan’s intellectual potential abroad, integration into the European cultural space are major aspects of formation of the country’s positive image.
The inaugural meeting of the Kazakh-British Academy will finish tomorrow.
The organizers of the event are the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and the Institute of Cultural Policy and Art.
Ekibastuz GRES-1 set to reconstruction of energy unit No8
Ekibastuz GRES-1 has set to reconstruction of its energy unit No8 with the capacity of 500 mW which belongs to Kazakhmys Group.
Modernization of the energy unit provides for reconstruction of the major elements of the boiler and the turbine, installation of electric filters and modern equipment of automatic control. The project aims at increasing the capacity of the venture up to 3, 000 mW by 2013. Reconstruction of the energy block will allow cover the growing demand of the population in electric power.
As Director of energy department of Kazakhmys Nikolay Korobovsky noted, Ekibasuz GRES-1 would continue contributing to the development of the country’s energy potential and improvement of the region’s ecological situation.
Kazinform’s note: Energy unit No 8 was put into service in 1984 and stopped in 1995 due to fall in demand in electric power.
Kazakhmys Group acquired Ekibastuz Gres-1 in May 2008 and has already invested more than USD 170 mln in it.
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