Astana Calling
A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 342
President Urges Actions to Improve Economy
Foreign Ministry Meeting Discusses Implementing Kazakhstan’s Way 2050
Kazakhstan Calls for Nuclear Test Ban at International Conference
Also In The News
President Nazarbayev (center) discusses new initiatives with government officials
President Urges Actions to Improve Economy Opening a Jan. 14 meeting with government officials, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed implementing the Kazakhstan 2050 strategy and noted that the Kazakh economy is growing at a rate of 6 percent in a time of unstable world markets. The President announced that 1 trillion tenge (US$5.4 billion) from the national fund would be allocated in 2014 and 2015 to provide economic resources and said that these allocations would be executed with international financial institutions to ensure transparency. Nazarbayev also urge the government to revise its licensing system and simplify administrative procedures. To further improve the financial sector, the President urged the banking system to address non-performing credits. “I charge the National Bank and the government to make suggestions on redemption of troubled credits from the banks until March 1. I set a task to the National Bank that the share of non-performing credits in the second tier banks has to be reduced to 15 percent by Jan. 1, 2015 and 10 percent by Jan. 1, 2016. The banks should take all necessary measures to fulfil this task,” he said. Nazarbayev charged the National Bank to propose by March 15 a transition to an inflation targeting regime in order to reduce the inflation rate by 3-4 percent in the mid-term and stressed the need to take drastic measures to help the equity market recover. The President stressed the need to increase social support of the population and directed the government from April 1 to increase by 10 percent monthly payments to the salaries of civil servants in education, science, healthcare, culture, sport and social protection. Nazarbayev also addressed reducing state participation in the economy and noted that in his most recent state-of-the-nation address he had directed government and the Samruk Kazyna Welfare Fund to develop a privatisation programme for 2014-2016. “Concerning the issues of the investment climate, we need to introduce clear, transparent and predictable rules of the game. What do investors want? They are interested in a number of basic factors, such as stability of contracts and the legislation, stability in the society, infrastructure, energy resources, transport, work force and a comfortable visa regime. We have all of them. But they are not working at all and if they are, not in favour of investors,” Nazarbayev said. The Head of State stressed the need to create conditions to diversify foreign investment into Kazakhstan, particularly in the processing industry, service sector and agriculture. He directed a commission be formed until May 1 to make recommendations on incentives for investors. He also directed the government to explore until May 1 ways to reduce administrative procedures related to foreign trade, particularly ensuring goods are cleared through customs in a maximum of three days. The President emphasised the need to diversify the economy as a mid-and long-term goal to provide macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth. He also directed the government to work with the akims (governors) of regions to define the specialisation of the regions. In the sphere of energy, Nazarbayev stressed the importance of elaborating a programme known as the “Concept of the Fuel and Energy Complex Development until 2030.” Nazarbayev urged agricultural officials to make suggestions within one month to establish an international research university in the sphere of agriculture on the basis of the Kazakh Agro Technical University in Astana. Summing up the results of the meeting, the President emphasised the need to intensify the work of the government in order to achieve these goals.
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Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov (center) chairs a meeting to discuss initiatives from the President’s state of the nation address
Foreign Ministry Meeting Discusses Implementing Kazakhstan’s Way 2050 Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov chaired a collegiate meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 13 to discuss the implementation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s vision for the country’s future as laid out in his address, “Kazakhstan’s Way 2050: Common Aim, Common Interests, Common Future.” Facilitating the implementation of the goals set by Nazarbayev in the address is a priority of the ministry. This is reflected in the ministry’s new Concept for Foreign Policy to 2020, which is based on the goals of the Kazakhstan 2050 strategy and has been approved by the President. The new concept introduces some changes to Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. “Previously, we used to emphasise primarily the protection of state interests. By contrast, today the emphasis is being gradually shifted to answer the demands of the society at large and of each individual citizen of Kazakhstan,” Idrissov said at the meeting. However, the country’s foreign policy will continue to be based on consistency, pragmatism and a balanced approach, he said. Idrissov also noted that the main thrust of the most recent address is the need to build a wealthy and successful nation through united effort. Reaching the President’s goals for Kazakhstan’s development and democracy will require the active participation of the entire country, he said.
Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov (left), First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev (center) and Deputy Foriegn Minister Alexey Volkov at a recent Collegiate meeting
In addition to discussing Kazakhstan 2050, the meeting reviewed Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 and measures being taken to promote it. Securing a Security Council seat will draw attention to the problems of the region, participants said, as well as allow Kazakhstan to contribute more to solving complex international issues. Participants also discussed issues in the preparation for EXPO 2017 in Astana, Eurasian and Central Asian integration, the process of stabilising Afghanistan and other topics.
Attending the meeting were officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kazykhanov; Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defence and Security of the Mazhilis Maulen Ashymbayev; Secretary of the Committee on International Affairs, Defence and Security of the Senate Birganym Aitimova; as well as representatives of the President’s administration and other government bodies.
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Kazakhstan Calls for Nuclear Test Ban at International Conference A Kazakhstan delegation attending a major anti-nuclear weapons conference in Mexico Feb. 13-14 called the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) a major step toward global nuclear disarmament and called for its rapid entry into force. “We believe that one of the most important steps toward that goal [of global nuclear disarmament] would be the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,” Roman Vassilenko, ambassador-at-large at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told representatives of 140 countries and dozens of international organisations at the second International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. “And we would like to urge, yet again, the eight countries on whose signature and ratification its entry into force depends to do so promptly.” China, Egypt, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, India, Israel, Pakistan and the United States have yet to ratify the treaty, which has been signed by 183 countries and ratified by 161 so far. Addendum II to the treaty lists more than 40 countries with nuclear weapons or nuclear energy capabilities on whose signatures and ratifications the entry into force of the treaty depends. Vassilenko said Kazakhstan has been working to promote the CTBT and highlight the plight of nuclear weapons testing victims in Kazakhstan and elsewhere. Furthering this goal is President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s initiative, The ATOM Project, an education and online petition campaign. It seeks to galvanise global public opinion toward action against nuclear weapons testing and ultimately nuclear weapons themselves. The first International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, with the participation of 130 countries and numerous international bodies, was organised and hosted by Norway in Oslo. The conferences focus on highlighting the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use, either in war or in testing, and seek to create global momentum toward nuclear disarmament. The world’s five officially recognised nuclear weapons states, Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S., have not sent representatives to the conferences, a point stressed by numerous speakers as preventing more productive and meaningful discussions. In Mexico, Vassilenko and his colleagues also reported on Kazakhstan’s efforts to rehabilitate areas affected by nuclear tests. Roman Vakulchuk, a Kazakh national and currently a researcher with the Norwegian Institute of International Relations (NUPI), presented a joint report by NUPI and two research institutions from eastern Kazakhstan on the lingering long-term health and environmental effects of the 40 years of Soviet nuclear weapons testing on the region and its people. Regarding the ATOM Project, Vassilenko added that close to 80,000 people from more than 100 countries have already signed its online petition to the governments of the world urging the entry into force of the CTBT. Kazakhstan Ambassador-at-Large Roman Vassilenko (center) prepares to deliver remarks at the Mexican anti-nuclear weapons conference
The conference reflected the evolving cooperation between governments and civil society, as many think tanks and nongovernmental organisations were not only present but were given equal time to speak at the event.
Along with representatives from nations, the conference was attended by experts from the UN and UN organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), as well as leaders from Mayors for Peace and research and nongovernmental organisations from the U.K., Norway, Switzerland and other countries. International Committee of the Red Cross Vice President Christine Beerlie and Mexican Foreign Minister José Antonio Meade Kuribreña opened the conference.
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Also In the News... •
Kazakhstan marks 20 years of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty On Feb. 17, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement on the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s joining the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty. “The Republic of Kazakhstan is a solid and consistent supporter of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Feb. 14 marks the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s accession to the NPT as non-nuclear-weapons state,” the statement said. It also said that only joint efforts with regional and global organisations, particularly the UN, could achieve the treaty’s objectives. Kazakhstan is actively involved in non-proliferation activities around the world, recently forming a Central Asian nuclear-weapons free zone and initiating the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. Its initiative, The ATOM Project, has garnered international attention with its global petition to ban all nuclear testing. The country is also actively campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018, and intends to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues from that platform, if elected. (mfa.gov.kz)
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President holds phone conversation with President Abdullah Gul of Turkey President Nursultan Nazarbayev had a phone conversation with President Abdullah Gul of Turkey on Feb. 14. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed priority directions for bilateral cooperation and ways to boost economic and trade cooperation. The leaders also discussed preparations for the upcoming summit of the Turkic-Speaking Countries Cooperation Council to be held in Turkey in June. (akorda.kz)
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European Investment Bank agrees to loan 220 million euros to banks in Kazakhstan The first loan agreements between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and banks in Kazakhstan were signed in a ceremony at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 18. The EIB will loan 120 million euros to the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and 100 million euros to a Kazakh subsidiary of Russia’s Sberbank. The EIB provides long-term financing for investments that help fulfil EU policy goals. The two loans are to be used to help develop Kazakhstan’s small and medium-sized businesses and midcap companies and contribute to the diversification of Kazakhstan’s economy. “EIB funds will facilitate the Kazakhstan 2050 strategy, which aims to develop a sustainable and efficient economic model capable of propelling Kazakhstan into the 30 most developed countries in the world,” said EIB Vice President for Kazakhstan Lending Operations Wilhelm Molterer at the ceremony. The current loan agreements arise out of the Framework Agreement between Kazakhstan and EIB that came into force in April 2011 and a memorandum of understanding between the Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and the EIB providing for EIB to invest up to 300 million euros in projects in Kazakhstan. (mfa.gov.kz)
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Kazakhstan ready to advance issues of nuclear disarmament within UN Kazakhstan is ready to advance the issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation within the UN Security Council, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Kazakhstan is ready to undertake obligations and advance the issues of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation within the UN Security Council in case the UN member states vest credence in it and elect the country as a non-permanent member of the Council for 2017-18,” the statement said. Kazakhstan, which is actively campaigning for the non-permanent seat on the Security Council, saw 40 years of nuclear testing on its territory. It is now active in global nuclear nonproliferation and calls on all countries that have not yet ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to do so as soon as possible. The country stands for the immediate development of a treaty banning the production of fissile materials and ultimately a complete ban on nuclear weapons. (ortcom.kz)
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KazCosmos and RosCosmos to discuss cooperation prospects for 2014-2016 in Moscow KazCosmos and RosCosmos will discuss their cooperation for the next two years during a working trip by head of KazCosmos Talgat Musabayev to Moscow from Feb. 20-21. Musabayev will meet head of RosCosmos Oleg Ostapenko. The joint use of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, currently leased to Russia, will be one of the main topics at the meeting. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan has weighed in on this issue, contributing to a road map for the complex’s joint use that calls for improving the legal framework for sharing the complex and addresses issues of developing Baikonur further and completing Kazakhstan’s Baiterek space launch facility currently under construction. Lingering questions about Baikonur’s future and a Proton rocket crash last year that spilled 600 tons of chemicals across the Kazakh countryside led to tensions between the two space agencies last year. (ortcom.kz)
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Denis Ten wins first Olympic figure skating medal for Kazakhstan Denis Ten has brought Kazakhstan its first Olympic figure skating medal, winning the bronze medal in the men’s individual competition at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. With an overall score of 255.10, Ten finished behind Patrick Chan of Canada and Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan. President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated the skater in a telegraph. “All of us watched with bated breath for your performance at the ice rink as an uncompromising struggle between the world’s best figure skaters started. And you justified our hopes, having won the Olympic medal in this event for the first time in the history of our state,” the President wrote. (ortcom.kz, akorda.kz)
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Prince Albert II of Monaco visits Kazakhstan House in Sochi, hints at future visits to Kazakhstan Visiting Kazakhstan House at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Prince Albert II of Monaco said he would like to visit Kazakhstan for EXPO 2017 and the universiade. The prince has been to Kazakhstan once but said he would be glad to come again. “I didn’t have a chance to learn more about your bid [for EXPO 2017]; however, the presentation held in Kazakhstan House was extremely interesting and fascinating. … I am considering an opportunity to pay a visit to your country in 2017 during the expo and during the universiade,” he said. He called EXPO 2017 a “great contribution” to global development and wished Kazakhstan success in it. Prince Albert also emphasised that Monaco has a very active business community and that he sees great prospects for cooperation in business and cultural and sport exchanges. At Kazakhstan House, the prince was also informed of Kazakhstan’s bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2020. (ortcom.kz)
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Life expectancy in Kazakhstan reaches 70 years Average life expectancy in Kazakhstan increased to 70.3 years by the end of 2013, the Ministry of Health Care reported on Feb. 18. The increase came ahead of the Salamatty Kazakhstan state health care development programme’s schedule, which had set an average life expectancy of 70 as a goal for 2015 and 72 as a goal for 2020. Contributing to the increase are a reduction in maternal mortality by 1.4 times and a reduction in infant mortality by 1.3 times over the past three years. Mortality from circulatory disease and some types of cancer has also fallen; overall mortality fell by 4.6 percent, according to Kazakhstan’s National Statistics Agency. If the pattern of growth in life expectancy continues, it will reach 84 years in 2050. (ortcom.kz)
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“Napoleon. Life. Legend” exhibition extended to March 9 Due to its popularity, the “Napoleon. Life. Legend” exhibition in the Palace of Independence has been extended until March 9. Nearly 9,000 people have already visited the exhibition, which opened on Dec. 19 and was due to end on Feb. 23. The exhibition was organised by the Association of National Museums and Grand Palais as well as the Napoleon Foundation through the initiative of the Embassy of France in Astana. It is being held as part of the Year of France in Kazakhstan. Tours are given in Kazakh, Russian and English and admission is free. (ortcom.kz)
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