This week, the APK - an institution of Kazakhstan's democracy, held a session dedicated to Kazakhstan's Independence, and both the Saudi and Spanish Foreign Ministers held separate visits to Astana for the first time.

1. A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ
ISSUE NO. 454 / FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016
APK Session Dedicated toAnniversary of
Nation’s Independence
SaudiForeignMinisterMakesFirst
OfficialVisittoKazakhstan
Also InThe News
SpanishFMTalksTrade,Environment
inFirstKazakhstanVisit
In Focus:
Foreign Policy Priorities

2. APKSessionDedicatedtoAnniversaryofNation’sIndependence
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More than 1,500 people across Kazakhstan participated April 26 in
24th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan dedicated
to the 25th Anniversary of the country’s independence.
Assembly members and veterans from all regions, chairs of national
and regional ethno-cultural unions, Parliament deputies, heads of
central executive bodies, political parties, religious associations, non-
governmental organisations, university rectors, diplomatic missions of
foreign states, scientific and art intelligentsia and media were among
the participants, according to APK’s announcement. In Astana, the
event was at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev greeted everyone, noting unity
among ethnicities is among the greatest values of the country’s
independence.
“Kazakhstan managed to preserve friendship - the main heritage
(asset) of all generations of Kazakhstan’s people. By the will of the
nation, a unique path of equal rights, unity and accord of all ethnic
groups in Kazakhstan was elected. The Assembly of the People of
Kazakhstan is the fruit of our independence and always stayed at a
high level in any challenges and at every period of the independence.
Its history is reflected by all stages and concrete results of the nation’s
ascent,” he said.
Nazarbayev also outlined adopting Mangilik El (Eternal Nation) act as
an important objective of the session.
“An important step – to adopt Mangilik El Patriotic Act as the main
document of this session will have to be done at this session. Our
nationwide idea Mangilik El is a new matrix of patriotic conscious of
the Kazakh people ... the Act is a capacious unique programme of
identity of unity of the Kazakh people,” the President said.
The document will reflect the basic spiritual values of the Kazakh
people, he added. According to Nazarbayev, it bounds together
economy, politics, morality, belief, the country’s vision in the global
world and will bind many generations of Kazakh people.
Nazarbayevalsodiscussedchangesinthecountry’seducationsystem.
According to him, initiatives in the field of education, including
transitiontoafive-dayweek,trilingualeducationcausedbigdebatesin
the country. However, poorly thought experiments are unacceptable,
President stated.
“School issues concern every family. Therefore, all positions must be
heard. Unreasoned experiments are not permitted here, nobody can
be customised, we decide ourselves what we need,” said the head of
state.
Kazakhstan is also getting ready to celebrate the Day of Unity of the
People of Kazakhstan May 1 with events around the country. This
annual celebration highlights the multi-ethnic community that has
been thriving in the Kazakh steppes.
This day is a national holiday during which people around the country
often go to their local town squares to socialise and taste the national
dishes of the many ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan
“Kazakhstan managed to preserve
friendship - the main heritage (asset) of
all generations of Kazakhstan’s people.
By the will of the nation, a unique path of
equal rights, unity and accord of all ethnic
groups in Kazakhstan was elected. The
Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is
the fruit of our independence and always
stayed at a high level in any challenges
and at every period of the independence.
Its history is reflected by all stages and
concrete results of the nation’s ascent.”
- President Nursultan Nazarbayev
Participants of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan session in Astana’s Palace of Independence

3. SaudiForeignMinisterMakesFirstOfficialVisittoKazakhstan
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Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir made his first visit
to Kazakhstan April 27, meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. Adel al-Jubeir
assured the President he would like to strengthen relations with
Kazakhstan and noted Kazakhstan’s role in developing the Islamic
world.
The sides discussed bilateral relations, including in trade, investment
and culture. Nazarbayev and Idrissov noted that Saudi Arabia’s long-
term development goals expressed in its Vision 2030 economic
and social development plan announced April 26 are similar to
Kazakhstan’s long-term development plans.
The two foreign ministers also signed a memorandum of cooperation
between their ministries.
“Saudi Arabia is a leader of the Muslim world and a major player in the
Middle East. Therefore, the position of Saudi Arabia and its policies
play a crucial role in solving crises in the region. Kazakhstan and Saudi
Arabia have agreed to cooperate closely in addressing these crises.
We have various platforms on which we agreed to cooperate,” shared
Idrissov during a press briefing at the ministry.
“Our countries are ready to deepen political dialogue at all levels,”
Idrissov added, noting President Nazarbayev will visit Saudi Arabia in
the fall.
The Kazakh minister also said the countries have great potential
for cooperation in economics, agriculture, petrochemical projects,
the nuclear industry and defence. “There is broad room for joint
investment projects,” said Idrissov.
Adel al-Jubeir reminded that Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan share a
common 1,200-year history of the Islamic civilisation with common
spiritual values. “Kazakhstan is like a reservoir of our heritage in this
part of the world. I would also like to express great respect to your
present. Diplomatic solutions of any conflicts and your efforts to
provide stability and prosperity within the region outline our vision of
the world and we share the same legacy,” the Saudi foreign minister
said, adding that he hopes the countries will increase their number of
mutual visits and contacts.
Adel al-Jubeir said he was aware of Kazakhstan’s global nuclear
nonproliferation efforts.
Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir (centre) during talks in Astana
“We also have a number of initiatives on the peaceful resolution
of some conflicts in the region. We support the idea of expanding
cooperation with Kazakhstan at the platform of the Organisation of
Islamic Cooperation. We can cooperate in many areas. For example,
the Islamic world is to promote the latest technology in the world in
order to improve the lives of our young generation,” he said.
The Saudi delegation also welcomed holding the first general
assembly of the new Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS)
on April 28 in Astana.
The IOFS was launched during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of
the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Nazarbayev proposed
the organisation as a way to share knowledge about agricultural
productivity and collectively respond to food crises within member
countries. Twenty-four member countries have initiated processes to
be part of the IOFS.
“Wealsohaveanumberofinitiatives
on the peaceful resolution of some
conflictsintheregion.Wesupportthe
idea of expanding cooperation with
Kazakhstan at the platform of the
OrganisationofIslamicCooperation.
We can cooperate in many areas.
For example, the Islamic world is to
promote the latest technology in the
world in order to improve the lives of
our young generation.”
- Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir

4. SpanishFMTalksTrade,EnvironmentinFirstKazakhstanVisit
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Trade, the environment and international issues were on the agenda
during Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José
Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil’s April 24-25 first official visit to
Kazakhstan.
“Spain is one of the most reliable strategic partners of Kazakhstan in
Europe and in the world. Spanish companies demonstrate activeness
on the Kazakh market, increasing civil society contacts, tourist flows
and cultural exchange. There are many prospects for cooperation
in the fields of transport and logistics, agriculture, green economy,
telecommunications,” Idrissov said.
García-Margallo met with Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan
Idrissov and participated in the Kazakh-Spanish Business Forum and
visited Lev Gumilev Eurasian National University.
The two sides agreed to cooperation on implementing the Enhanced
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between
Kazakhstan and the EU. They also signed a Green Bridge partnership
document.
García-Margallo pointed out that Kazakhstan is an important
strategic partner in Central Asia and that the two countries have
significant potential to develop economic cooperation and business
ties. He expressed support for Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a non-
permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
The parties also discussed Spain’s participation in EXPO 2017, the
intergovernmental commission on cooperation in economy and
industry, the Kazakh-Spanish Business Council, inter-parliamentary
cooperation, the expansion of a legal base, tourism, as well as the
possibility of opening a branch of the Cervantes Institute in Astana.
A large business delegation accompanied García-Margallo. The
delegation included representatives of major Spanish companies,
such as INDRA, MAXAM, INECO, TECNICAS REUNIDAS,
EUROFINSA and others. The group participated in the Kazakh-
Spanish Business Forum at the Rixos President Hotel Astana.
Morethan90Kazakhcompaniesworkinginagriculture,construction,
architecture, oil and gas, energy, aviation, military and transport
participated in the forum.
García-Margallo and Kazakh Minister of Investment and
Development Asset Issekeshev opened the event.
Theforum’sgoalwastosupportSpanishcompaniesalreadyoperating
in Kazakhstan and promote other businesses that are interested in
the Kazakh market. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Spain
in 2015 was $1.44 billion. In 2014, it was $2.74 billion, and, in 2013, the
total was $2.34 billion.
The Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan and the
Spanish Chamber of Commerce signed an agreement during the
forum establishing the Kazakh-Spanish Business Council.
“I am glad that powerful international companies, such as Airbus and
Talgo took part in the forum. For us, cooperation with these brands is
not only the flow of investment, but also a technology transfer, which
motivates our manufactures to improve,” Chairman of the Chamber
of International Commerce of Kazakhstan Ruslan Sultanov said.
García-Margallo also visited a Kazakhstan-Spain joint venture, the
Talgo manufacturing facilities (Tulpar-Talgo factory), and attended
a graduation ceremony at Eurasian National University, where the
Centre of Spanish Language named after Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo
was established in March 2015. The initiative to open the centre
belonged to the Spanish Embassy in Kazakhstan. It was the first such
initiative undertaken by Spain in Central Asia. There is an agreement
on cooperation and exchange of students between Abai Kazakh
National Pedagogical University and the Complutense University
(Madrid), Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the University
of Cadiz and the University of Granada, Lev Gumilev ENU and the
University of San Pablo.
“Spain is one of the most reliable strategic partners
of Kazakhstan in Europe and in the world. Spanish
companies demonstrate activeness on the Kazakh
market, increasing civil society contacts, tourist flows
and cultural exchange. There are many prospects for
cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics,
agriculture, green economy, telecommunications.”
- Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo (left) signs Green Bridge partnership with Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev

5. InFocus: Foreign Policy Priorities
EXPO 2017 presented at international tourism exhibition KITF
2016 in Almaty
Nearly 300 tour operators from 31 countries got acquainted with
Astana EXPO 2017 at the international exhibition Travel and Tourism
from April 20 to 22 in Almaty. The KITF exhibition is the largest
annual tourism event in Central Asia, attracting hundreds of tourist
companies. During the road show with a presentation of the tourism
product portfolio of Astana EXPO-2017, detailed information was
presented on the thematic and cultural programme of the expo.
(expo2017astana.com)
Welcoming Investment
China - Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan - Iran Route has high
transportation potential
Beijing hosted a presentation of economic opportunities of the China
- Kazakhstan - Turkmenistan – Iran route. At the presentation, Vice
President of Logistics of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national
railway company Kanat Alpysbayev noted that currently there are
possibilities for the successful use of the joint Kazakh-Chinese
terminal at the port Lianyungang, Khorgos - Eastern Gate economic
zone. According to Alpysbayev, Kazakhstan has formed an effective
rail network and logistics infrastructure and is able to provide the
optimal timing of delivery and optimisation of transport costs. During
the visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Tehran on April 11, an
expanded long-term programme was approved between Kazakhstan
and Iran on the use of the transport and logistics potential of the Silk
Road. The programme creates competitive tariffs, development of
border stations, reduction of time to pass boundaries, organisation
of regular container trains in the direction China - Kazakhstan
- Turkmenistan - Iran / Persian Gulf / India and in the opposite
direction and an increase in the speed of transportation. KTZ is ready
to provide comprehensive multi-modal services for China’s business
community in development of container traffic through Kazakhstan
andTurkmenistantoIranandthePersianGulfwiththeuseoflogistics
infrastructure of the country,” said the representative of the national
company. (www.railways.kz)
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Strengthening UN & Int’l Security
KazakhEmbassyinSwedenorganisesnon-proliferationseminar
On April 21, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the
Kingdom of Sweden with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom
of Denmark jointly with the Danish Institute for International Studies
(DIIS) organised a seminar “Kazakhstan: opportunities in the field
of non-proliferation and disarmament.” High-profile experts like
Tariq Rauf, director of the Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-
proliferation Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute, as well as Cindy Vestergaard, senior research fellow on
International Security at DIIS addressed the audience. The speakers
provided a number of cases exemplifying Kazakhstan’s substantial
contribution to strengthening international nuclear security. They
particularly dwelled on the history of creation of the Low Enriched
Uranium (LEU) Bank under the International Atomic Energy Agency
aegis. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Dastan Yeleukenov briefed the
audience on the initiatives of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to
rid the world of nuclear weapons and delivered a short review of
Kazakhstan’s non-proliferation and disarmament. The ambassador
drew the attention of participants to the Manifesto of “The World.
XXI Century,” which calls the world leaders to join efforts to eliminate
nuclear weapons. Representatives of the Danish Ministry for Foreign
Affairs, expert society and mass media attended seminar.
Hosting Astana Expo 2017
President Nazarbayev hears report on EXPO preparations
On April 27, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired
a meeting on preparations for EXPO 2017. He reiterated that
organisation and hosting the exhibition must show all achievements
of independent Kazakhstan and the capital itself. The President also
recalled that last year, for the first time, Astana became a donor
to the nation’s budget with 900 billion tenge (US$2.716 billion)
allocated. According to him, 75 percent of all revenues to the capital
budget are brought by small and medium businesses, which provide
half of the city population employment. Reporting on the exhibition
preparations, Chairman of the Board of the Astana EXPO 2017
National Company Akhmetzhan Yessimov said that the exhibition
has raised 244 billion tenge (US$736.5 million) in investments.
Implementation of investment projects has created 5,300 jobs, the
chairman said.
Back to Contents

6. Also InThe News...
• President Briefed on textile, pharmaceutical industries during
visit to South Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the work
and products of new factories of Chimpharm and Azala Textile
during a recent working visit to Shymkent, South Kazakhstan.
During his visit to Azala Textile, the head of state was informed
about implementation of industrial development programmes
in the region, such as the investment programme South (free
economic zone) and the key indicators of the functioning of light
industry. Nazarbayev noted the development of the country’s
production and substitution of imported goods are among the most
important tasks of Kazakhstan’s economic policy. At the factory
of Chimpharm, President Nazarbayev spoke with employees and
congratulated them on opening the plant, wishing successful
development and high competitiveness. He stressed that the
market for drugs is promising and creates great opportunities
for the company as the flagship of the domestic pharmaceutical
industry and the whole city. The project of Chimpharm consists
of four stages with a total value of 14 billion tenge ($41.7 million),
the first of which, worth 5.8 billion tenge ($17.2 million), has already
been implemented. The project as a whole will produce 350 million
vials of injectable solutions, four million packages of infusion
solutions, 40 million bottles of antibiotics and one billion tablets.
Chimpharm with 125 years of its history has recently been operating
in the market under the Santo brand name following the arrival at
the plant of Polpharma from Poland as an investor. (astanatimes.
com)
• Broadband internet to reach 90% of Kazakh students within
four years, education minister says
In the next three to four years, access to broadband internet
will reach 90 percent of students in Kazakhstan, Minister of
Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev said recently at a
Central Communications Service briefing. The minister stressed
that this will ensure massive and widespread implementation of
new knowledge and practices as well as alignment of all levels of
students and teachers. (ortcom.kz)
• Diplomatic Relations Established with Liberia
On April 27, 2016 in New York, Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Kairat
Abdrakhmanov and Chargés d’Affaires of the Republic of Liberia to
the United Nations George S. W. Patten signed a joint communiqué
on establishing of diplomatic relations between the two states. At
the signing ceremony, the sides exchanged views on the prospects
of bilateral cooperation, as well as a number of issues of the UN
agenda, important for both Kazakhstan and Liberia. Among
them are Sustainable Development Goals implementation,
environmental protection, healthcare, peacekeeping and post-
conflict development. Patten positively evaluated main priorities
of Kazakhstan for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations
Security Council for 2017-2018. He also thanked the Kazakh side
for its assistance in fight against the spread of the Ebola virus
in West Africa, which has claimed thousands of lives, as well
as for Kazakhstan’s contribution aiming at the implementation
together with the UNDP of the Africa-Kazakhstan Partnership for
Sustainable Development.
• KADEX 2016 exhibition to showcase Kazakh multiple launch
rocket system
The Petropavlovsk-based Heavy Engineering Plant will present
their recent developments at the Fourth International Exhibition
of Arms and Military Equipment KADEX June 2 to 5. In particular,
they will showcase the multiple launch rocket system called Broad
Spectrum, which ensures the destruction and suppression of point
and area targets, manpower and firing weapons at a distance of 10
to 150 kilometres. The complex is equipped with an automated
fire control system, digital means of communication, navigation
and topographic location, including a satellite. The plant will also
present the Ulan hardware guarding system. The system is designed
for objects with a perimeter up to 2,000 metres, military units,
warehouses and other areas of specialised facilities. (mod.gov.kz)
• Golovkin tops Wade, earns 35th win, extends KO streak to 22
Kazakh boxer and EXPO 2017 Ambassador Gennady “GGG”
Golovkin (35 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws, 32 knock outs) completely
outperformed, out-powered and dominated U.S. opponent
Dominic Wade (18 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws), knocking him out in round
two in front of his home crowd April 23 at the Forum Arena in Los
Angeles. The Karaganda native defended his World Boxing Council
(WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International
Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight titles for the 16th time.
Golovkin connected on 54 of his 133 punches (41 percent), while
Wade landed 22 of 75 (29 percent) (astanatimes.com)
• Astana Opera stages Puccini’s famous ‘Madame Butterfly’
One of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas, “Madame Butterfly,”
was staged at the Astana Opera April 15-16 within the framework of
the Year of Italian Culture in Kazakhstan. Kazakh honoured artists
Zhannat Baktai and Aigul Niyazova played the female lead. The
part of the lieutenant was performed by Italian opera star and tenor
Fabio Armiliato and Kazakh honoured artist Medet Chotabayev. In
comparison to other opera theatres, which have partly recreated
the main character’s house, lake and landscape, the Astana-based
opera house decided to present full-scale decorations, made
by Italians Ezio Frigerio and Oscar winner Franca Squarciapino.
(astanaopera.kz)
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