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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 384 / FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014

French President Visits Astana, Advances Bilateral Relations

FM Idrissov Meets with US Secretary of State Kerry in US

Also In The News

Kazakh Nuclear Disarmament Efforts Noted at Vienna Conference

French President Visits Astana, Advances Bilateral Relations

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President of France François Hollande commended Kazakhstan’s economic development and important political and diplomatic role in Central Asia during his official visit to Astana on Dec. 5 and 6.

“Today, a large delegation arrived with me. It includes ministers, parliamentarians, businessmen and university rectors. This demonstrates France’s level of interest in cooperation with Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia,” the French leader said on his arrival on Dec. 5.

Meeting with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Hollande discussed advancing the two nations’ strategic partnerships in business, science, education and international politics. Nazarbayev said he appreciated the large number of businessmen in the delegation and noted France’s role as a leading trade partner of Kazakhstan’s. Trade turnover in the first nine months of 2014 between the two countries amounted to $4.7 billion.

More than 100 companies using French capital are at work across the country, Nazarbayev said, and new projects and joint ventures are coming. “We have completed 10 [major] industrial projects with France; 18 more are being implemented,” Nazarbayev said. “These projects involve machinery, communications, the space industry, medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and infrastructure development.” Major French companies active in Kazakhstan include EADS, Alstom, Total, GDF-Suez, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Danone.

Nazarbayev urged French companies to take advantage of the benefits offered to foreign investors participating in Kazakhstan’s new industrialisation programme. Kazakhstan is enacting measures to make the country easier and more attractive for French companies to invest and work in. These include the new visa-free regime for two-week visits for citizens of France, as well as nine other countries with major investments in Kazakhstan. Starting in January, Kazakhstan is also simplifying the process for hiring foreign workers. Tax breaks for investors involved in priority projects will also come into force then.

Fifteen commercial agreements worth $530.3 million were expected to be signed at the Dec. 5 Kazakh-French Business Forum organised to coincide with the French president’s visit, where EXPO 2017 in Astana was discussed as a stimulus for expanding cooperation in

President of France Francois Hollande (left) and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev

clean energy and high technology industries. Speaking at the forum, Hollande confirmed that his country will “actively and dynamically” participate in the event in Astana in three years. “EXPO 2017 will serve as a showcase of science and education,” he said.

Global political tensions were also on the agenda. “We are meeting at a time when there is a tense situation between Russia and European countries. We want the problem solved; and in this context your country plays a special role,” Hollande told Nazarbayev.

Paris and Astana share similar positions on the crisis in Ukraine, Nazarbayev said, commenting that in Ukraine, international law had been violated, resulting in a lack of trust between heads of state. However, he said, the situation “has many layers” and must be viewed in context. Cornering one side was not the way to a solution, Nazarbayev said, expressing satisfaction that Hollande shared his belief in the need to find a compromise to end the ongoing conflict.

Education was also discussed by the two leaders. A number of intergovernmental agreements to cooperate in education and scientific research were signed, including agreements to recognize each others’ academic degrees and to collaborate in the development of civil services and clean energy.

Central Asia’s first branch of Sorbonne University opened in Almaty on Dec. 6, with Nazarbayev and Hollande attending the opening ceremony.

Hollande’s first visit to Kazakhstan was the third visit by a French president to independent Kazakhstan: Nicolas Sarkozy visited in 2009 and the late François Mitterrand in 1993. General Charles de Gaulle was the first French leader to visit Kazakhstan’s territory in 1966, when he was likely the first foreign leader to be allowed to visit the then-secret Soviet spaceport, Baikonur, and witness the launch of a Soviet rocket into space. A major street in Astana has been named after De Gaulle and a monument to him will soon be unveiled.

FM Idrissov Meets with US Secretary of State Kerry in US

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Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov paid an official visit to the U.S. to participate in the third regular bilateral meeting of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue committee and discuss cooperation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

“I am very proud that today we will have the third meeting of our Strategic Partnership Dialogue with Secretary Kerry, and I came here to confirm our strong desire to cement further the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States and take it to the future,” Idrissov said at the meeting on Dec.10.

The Strategic Partnership Dialogue remains the only cooperation mechanism of its scale in Central Asia and provides a platform for dialogue between the countries on bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation.

Prior to the meeting, both parties stressed the ongoing cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S. in combating the Islamic State group, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, stabilising Afghanistan and trade. Kerry emphasised the significance of Kazakhstan’s scholarship programme for Afghan students, which he called “a critical component of capacity-building for Afghanistan and of stability.”

During the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, Kerry commended the growing partnership between the two states, as well as Kazakhstan’s balanced foreign policy. He also confirmed his country’s support for Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Idrissov noted Astana’s commitment to Kazakhstan’s multivector foreign policy and called for all international actors to move past their “big game” approach and adopt a “benefit to all” principle.

Idrissov and Kerry also touched on the situation in Ukraine. Idrissov expressed serious concern about the ongoing conflict in the country, which has now resulted in reciprocal sanctions between Russia and Western nations. The foreign minister called for an early end to the armed confrontation there and negotiations to resolve remaining issues.

Following the meeting, a joint statement reflecting Washington and Astana’s positions on issues including nonproliferation, democracy, human rights and development, trade, investment and energy, Afghanistan and regional integration, cooperation on security and law enforcement, military cooperation, education, partnerships

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (left) and United States Secretary of State John Kerry

in science and technology, humanitarian aid and development assistance and EXPO 2017, was adopted.

During his visit, Idrissov also met officials from the U.S. National Security Council, the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce.

With National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Idrissov touched upon strengthening regional stability and sustainable development and Rice commended Kazakhstan for its role in expanding economic activity and strengthening cooperation in its region.

With U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews and Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, the discussion focused on intensifying trade and investment and energy cooperation. Andrews confirmed U.S. interest in working to increase the investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan and expand the presence of American business in the state. He also called the infrastructure expenditures of President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s new Nurly Zhol economic policy a testament to the strategic vision of Kazakhstan’s President and were very positively perceived by American business.

Idrissov and Sherwood-Randall discussed bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy and strengthening the nonproliferation regime. Both noted the importance of completing negotiations and signing an agreement between Kazakhstan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the establishment of a low-enriched uranium fuel bank in Kazakhstan.

Idrissov also addressed the opening of the second Kazakh-American Convention, “Working Together for a Secure Future,” an event attended by heads of government departments, members of Congress, chairmen of U.S. companies, think tanks representatives and the media. Idrissov elaborated on Kazakhstan’s foreign policy priorities to promote peace and security regionally and globally and measures taken to ensure economic development nationally and regionally, particularly those geared toward industrial and innovative growth amid the economic crisis and global recession.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright noted Kazakhstan’s regional leadership and said sustainable development in Central Asia was possible only through closer cooperation within the region.

Kazakh Nuclear Disarmament Efforts Noted at Vienna Conference

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The third international conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons took place at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna on Dec. 8-9. Attended by more than 700 official delegates from 151 countries, as well as nongovernmental organisations and mass media, the programme of the two-day conference included issues, such as the possible impact of nuclear weapons on health, environment, social-economic development, climate and industry security.

The conference’s opening session saw statements or messages delivered from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, Pope Francis and other politicians and activists.

The delegation from Kazakhstan was headed by Kairat Sarybay, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to international organisations based in Vienna. It also included Senate member Baktybay Chelpekov, Mazhilis deputy Viktor Rogalev, Ambassador-at-Large Barlybay Sadykov and Honorary Ambassador of The ATOM Project Karipbek Kuyukov.

The delegation reported on Kazakhstan’s contributions in the sphere of nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament, highlighting that today, the country maintains a strong stance on the need to take further decisive action to eliminate the global nuclear threat. Kuyukov’s personal testimony as a victim of nuclear testing roused applause and nods of sympathy.

An exhibition of paintings by Kuyukov and a photo exhibit dedicated to the history of nuclear disarmament of Kazakhstan were unveiled in the framework of the conference. Kuyukov’s address and artwork once again reminded the world of the tragic consequences of nuclear testing. Having experienced them firsthand, Kuyukov called on all those present to support the ATOM Project in seeking a final and irreversible ban on nuclear testing.

The two previous international conferences devoted specifically to this issue were held in Oslo, Norway, in March 2013 and Nayarit, Mexico, in February 2014.

A great amount of interest was also paid to Kuyukov’s speech at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) civil

Representatives of The ATOM Project participated in the recent Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons conference in Vienna

society forum, held on the eve of the Vienna conference. Kuyukov’s personal story and ongoing battle against nuclear weapons was told alongside stories of the struggle of Japan’s Hibakusha (atomic bombing survivors) and victims of nuclear testing at sites in Nevada and the Marshall Islands.

The ATOM Project, which was initiated by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2012, is an international campaign to unite global efforts toward a ban on nuclear testing. The project’s website offers a petition to global leaders demanding an end to nuclear weapons testing. The project name is an abbreviation of four words: Abolish Testing. Our Mission.

The historic decision to close the nuclear testing site near Semipalatinsk for the sake of the people of Kazakhstan and around the world was underscored at the conference. Around 500 atmospheric, surface and underground nuclear tests were conducted in the 40 years of operation of the testing site, which spread radioactive contamination across a large area, resulting in severe trauma among the local population and high rates of birth defects, cancers and other illnesses to this day. The closing of the Semipalatinsk nuclear facility by an historic decree of President Nazarbayev is seen today as a substantial contribution to the global process of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. The rejection of nuclear warheads and their subsequent expulsion from Kazakhstan’s territory serves as a precedent for other countries to follow.

On the sidelines of the conference, Secretary of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis’s Committee for International Relations, Defence and Security Victor Rogalev took part as the main speaker at the Parliamentarians for a Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND) roundtable discussion hosted by members of the Austrian parliament. PNND is a nonpartisan forum for parliamentarians worldwide to share resources and information, develop cooperative strategies and engage in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament issues, initiatives and arenas.

Also In The News... • Kazakhstan,Indiatodevelopmilitary,technicalcooperation

First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan Colonel General Saken Zhasuzakov met Dec. 8 during an official visit to India with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarom to discuss military and related technological cooperation, including holding joint trainings, exchanging experience in combat training of military personnel and regional and global security. Zhasuzakov also highlighted the expansion of relations between special forces units, whose role is increasing in modern warfare, as an important area of cooperation. (kt.kz)

• PresidentNazarbayevunveilsfirstuniversitydiagnosticcentreDuring a Dec. 9 working visit to Al Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited a brand new medical diagnostics centre for students, a joint venture with South Korean partners. The centre aims to increase the competitiveness of the country’s healthcare and education system; develop scientific and human resources; extend international cooperation; transfer innovation medical technologies and integrate scientific, research and education activities. More than $6 million has been invested in its construction and equipment. (inform.kz)

• Newhigh-speedtraintoconnectAstanaandUst-KamenogorskA new high-speed train connecting Astana and Ust-Kamenogorsk will be launched on Dec. 14. Passenger train 68/67 will run three times a week, according to a press release by the Passenger Traffic company and contains a dining and bar car as well as passenger cabin cars. The total travel time from Astana to Ust-Kamenogorsk will take 16 hours and 50 minutes; the return trip is 16 hours and 45 minutes. (kazpravda.kz)

• AlstomdoublesstakeinlocomotivejointventureEKZKazakhstan Railways (KTZ) and Alstom signed a $1.6 billion agreement on Dec. 5 on Alstom’s purchase of an additional 25 percent stake in its locomotive joint venture in Kazakhstan, EKZ, expanding the company’s scope to include maintenance of freight and passenger locomotives through a dedicated facility in Astana. The move shows confidence in Kazakhstan’s investment environment and will develop local skills, said Martin Vaujour, managing director of Alstom Transport Central Asia. The move will also contribute to the modernisation of the railroad industry, he said. The purchase will increase the company’s holding to 50 percent, while KTZ and Transmashholding will both retain 25 percent stakes in EKZ. The agreement was signed during the official visit of French President François Hollande to Astana. (astanatimes.com)

• BigAlmatyRingRoadprojectpresentedtoinvestorsinLondonThe Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD) project concept was presented Dec. 9 to British investors at the headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London. The BAKAD team provided information on conditions for tendering, including technical, economic and legal details. The 66-kilometre BAKAD project is one of the biggest non-oil infrastructure projects financed by the private sector. Kazakhstan’s Minister for National Economy Yerbolat Dossayev told meeting participants that the investment in construction alone was estimated at around $700 million. Part of the Western Europe – Western China highway project, BAKAD intends to clear Almaty’s city roads from long-haul transportation traffic and establish near-road infrastructure. (astanatimes.com)

• DeputyFMattendsOSCEministerialmeetingDeputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Alexey Volkov joined representatives from other Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member states in Basel on Dec. 4-5 for the annual Ministerial Council meeting. Around 1,200 delegation members from 57 OSCE participating states attended the event, which allows for decision making between OSCE summits. Ukraine was discussed at the meeting and Volkov reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to that crisis. “Our country continues to believe a solution will come only through peaceful dialogue and constructive mediation,” he said. Kazakhstan chaired the OSCE in 2010. Serbia will chair the organisation in 2015.

• AstanahostsSilkRoadInternationalCulturalForumAstana hosted the first Silk Road International Culture Forum at the National Museum on Dec. 8-10, where more than 150 delegates, including politicians, cultural institution managers and scholars from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan discussed the inheritance and development of culture along the Silk Road in the 21st century and proposed multilateral projects and long-term mechanisms for cooperation. Vice President of Sinao Corporation Jin Yunshean said the forum would adopt the Astana Consensus on advancing cultural cooperation between China and Kazakhstan. On the eve of the forum, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov met with the heads of visiting delegations to discuss multilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Massimov stressed the importance of the cultural forum, which was held prior to the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of SCO members set for the next week in Astana. (inform.kz)

• WorldPressPhoto2014exhibitiontoopeninAstana,AlmatyThe World Press Photo exhibition dedicated to International Human Rights Day kicks off Dec. 10 at the Astana National Art Gallery. The travelling exhibition includes almost 140 works of the winners of the annual World Press Photo photojournalism contest. The exhibition will be presented in Astana until Dec. 17 and then move to Almaty from Dec. 21-31. An independent international jury of professional photographers and photo editors evaluates World Press Photo competition entries in nine categories. Each year after the contest, the award-winning photographs are exhibited in Amsterdam for two months and then travel around the world. This year, the exhibition will be held in Central Asia for only the second time, in Astana and Almaty in December and in Bishkek in January. (inform.kz)

• Gennady‘GGG’GolovkinbeltedbyWBCinMexicoKazakhstan’s Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin was presented with the World Boxing Council’s Interim Middleweight belt at an official ceremony in Mexico City on Dec. 9 by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman. Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler and coach Abel Sanchez attended the ceremony as well. (inform.kz)

• Female body builder from Kazakhstan wins championship inIndiaKazakhstan’s Daniya Tleumbetova has been crowned the winner of the 2014 World Body Building and Physique Sports Competition held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre on Dec. 7 – 9 in Mumbai. The event was organised by the Indian Body Builders Federation (IBBF) and gathered more than 400 national and international athletes. Tleumbetova also won gold in the women’s model physique category at the fifth World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Hungary in 2013. (inform.kz)

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