Kazakhstan's strong position in the international arena has played a great role in the selection of Astana as EXPO-2017 host: Arabic journalist

ABU-DHABI. November 26. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan's win the right to host Expo 2017 has caused a positive reaction abroad. About this and the bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, which celebrated 20th anniversary this year, Kazinform correspondent talked with Managing editor of the independent Arabic-language newspaper "Al Fajr" Sherif Al Bassel.
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This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan, how do you see the results and prospects of relations between countries?

First of all, let me congratulate the leadership and people of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Astana's election as a centre of holding of EXPO 2017, under the topic "Energy of the Future".

There is no doubt that the win Astana achieved after a world competition and its victory on Belgium is considered another triumph which added to the great victories record that Kazakhstan has achieved  under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan's strong position in the international arena has played a great role in the selection of Astana, where the United Arab Emirates was the first country which announced its full support to elect Kazakhstan to organize Expo 2017.

In fact, the relation between the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan is strong and started on the first of October 1992 when the two countries completed the exchange of the official documents in the same year.

This relationship established by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and President Nursultan Nazarbayev has witnessed continuous developments in all fields including political, economic, commercial, investment, cultural and humanitarian which was a result of the wise policy adopted by the leadership of the two countries and the strong brotherly relation between H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and H.E Nursultan Nazarbayev the President of  Kazakhstan and their keenness to develop their countries and friendly people.

The UAE-Kazakhstan government joint committee has played an important role in promoting the bilateral commercial relations during a short period as it held five joint meetings.

Also, the embassies of the two countries played a strong role in supporting the ties of cooperation between the two sides both politically and economically, as forum of businessmen was organized in Abu Dhabi last year to enhance and develop the investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Middle East and the South East of Asian countries.

At the cultural and humanitarian level the Kazakh days of culture were held in the UAE in 2009 and in 2010 the UAE days of culture were held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The relationship between the UAE and the Republic of Kazakhstan is based on understanding and achieving of joint interests which aims at realizing more achievements through implementing the joint agreements and the strategic developing projects as well as the increase of the volume of investment between the two parties.

There is also, a great desire to support this relationship in future to be a model of international cooperation in the framework of political, economic, commercial, investment, cultural and humanitarian partnership, especially through adopting the wise vision of the leaders of the two countries and their keenness to support the cooperation relations between the two friendly countries.

There is no doubt that this strong relationship which witnesses a great development is considered a practical translation of the two sides' desire to enhance the values of friendship, brotherhood and the cooperation to represent the ambitions of the countries to establish a strategic partnership relationship.

Also the continuous exchange of official visits between the leaders of the UAE and Kazakhstan assure a strong joint ties and interests and they review a lot of important issues which are of great interests in addition to the current developments at the regional and international levels.

Those continuous meetings have led to support the bridges of brotherhood between the two countries and support the relationship to include all the fields of the interest of the people of the UAE and Kazakhstan.

There is also one similar point of view between the two countries regarding all issues at the international level as well as their policies on a lot of regional and international levels which provide a strong partnership as the United Arab Emirates participates in a number of international activities and conferences which are organized in Kazakhstan.

Dr Sherif, the 1st of December is newly set as the Day of the First President of Kazakhstan. Please tell me how our President Nursultan Nazarbayev is seen here in the Emirates, among local politicians and what is his personal role in the development of relations between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates?

In fact, the UAE officials consider Kazakhstan as one of the most important countries in the Mid Asia region and the UAE gives all keenness to support the bilateral relations in all fields of cooperation as per the directives of the two countries to strengthen the pillars of the partnership.

Also President Nursultan Nazarbayev is considered at the local and international levels as a strong patriotic man who has made a lot great achievements for his people.

At the local level Nazarbayev has managed within few years to realize the ambition of his people in raising the level of living and put Kazakhstan among the advanced countries.

Within few years of his rule, Kazakhstan has become an important and free country that enjoys peace and security with a free economy which has led to the increase of the annual rate of development in spite of the world economic crisis that was managed by President Nazarbayev wisely and confirmed his ability to lead the country in the worst possible circumstances.

During two decades of his rule, Kazakhstan has made a lot of achievements at the economic, political and social levels and the country became more stable and adhered to human values without any distinction between race or religion and the people of Kazakhstan live under a flag of the level of nation.

The officials in the United Arab Emirates realize and highly appreciate the unique status of Nazarbayev among his people which was shown when he won the last presidential election with a rate of 96% which represent the trust of the Kazakh people in him and at the same time put a heavy burden of responsibilities on his shoulders to keep this trust as Nazarbayev has become a precious icon for the national work among all the people of Kazakhstan.

At the international level, Kazakhstan has occupied through the presidential rule an excellent and respected status and the President has become one of the most important and wise world leaders. Also the diplomacy of Kazakhstan has been hailed by others for its activity, reality and wisdom which aims at guarantee of the national interests as well as supporting the status of the country internationally and promoting the national, regional and international security.

The officials in the United Arab Emirates know about his achievements made for the benefit of his people as well as appreciate the Kazakh diplomacy which has witnessed a great success at the international level in all fields. This has been illustrated through the President's initiatives which always offer solution to the political, social and economic crises in the world.

Kazakhstan leads at present the Islamic Cooperation Organization for a future full of safety, stability and prosperity through presiding over the organization as our country played an essential role to activate the organization.

Also, Kazakhstan managed to activate the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Astana hosted the OSCE Summit in 2010.

No one in the world can forget or ignore the President's attitude that adopted the establishment of the permanent authority for human rights as well as the call for the dialogue among religions and condemn the Islamophobia phenomenon.

Also, all people remember how President Nazarbayev managed to save the souls of millions of people through giving hope to the coming generation by his wise leadership as he changed the path of life of his country for the better and took a courageous decision where he closed completely the site of the nuclear tests in his country and called for a non-nuclear world and changed the city of Semey from a factory of killing and suffering into a symbol of peace and hope in future.

All these matters made the UAE officials realize the importance of this leader to support the international, regional and national security as well as his ability to support cooperation between the two countries. H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates and Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Kazakhstan, have a great desire to build strategic partnership between the two countries.

Thank you for interview!

 

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