Nursultan Nazarbayev: Steering our steady course and together with Russia
Today we outline our future together
- The Forum of Kazakhstan-Russia Inter-Regional Cooperation was held in Ust-Kamenogorsk. What's its peculiarity?
- I can say without exaggeration that the format, content and depth of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are the example of integration in the entire post-Soviet space.
The most productive trade economic relations are between our border regions. The previous forums resulted in the launch of large regional projects, helped address problems connected with transportation, customs and border control.
The 7th Forum in Ust-Kamenogorsk was aimed at discussing a vital issue for both states on stable development and high technologies. Kazakhstan and Russia both have tasks of forced development of hi-tech production and innovative economy. Therefore it is very important for us now to strengthen relations in the sphere of investment and innovative politics and provide all-round support to business and social structures of the two states.
The forum was held under new historic conditions. The Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus started functioning since July 1 which allowed to fully open borders between our countries, establish the Single Customs Union and establish common tariffs for three countries.
One of the examples of cooperation between our countries in the sphere of high technologies is the establishment of the Russian-Kazakh Nanotechnology Venture Fund with 'Rosnano' and 'Kazyna Capital Management' involved.
The initiative on establishment of the Association of regions of the two states was proposed at the Forum as well. It would help in monitoring the implementation of the decisions and their effectiveness.
Uniting our efforts we can achieve a technological breakthrough in many other spheres such as chemical industry, mineral resources, agriculture, environmental protection, etc.
- The People's Assembly of Kazakhstan marked the 15th anniversary this year. What are the results of its work?
- Due to different historic events Kazakhstan's territory is a motherland for representatives of 140 ethnic groups and more than 40 confessions. We have a unique multiethnic community.
'One country - one destiny', 'Different descent - equal opportunities' - these ideas became a uniting factor for all citizens of Kazakhstan.
The activity of the Assembly is the basis of our interethnic, intercultural dialogue. It has proved its effectiveness over a span of 15 years.
Representatives of 46 ethnic groups established their ethno cultural communities to develop and preserve their language, culture and traditions and the number of such communities in the country. Their total number including affiliates is 820. 88 ethnic schools teach in the Uzbek, Tajik, Uygur and Ukrainian languages. 195 special language schools were opened for studying languages of 30 ethnic groups. 33 printed publications in 15 languages are issued in the country. 14 Russian theatres as well as Uzbek, Uygur, Korean and German theaters work in Kazakhstan. Three of them have no analogues in the CIS.
We have done a big job over these 15 years. We have developed new traditions of common responsibilities for the motherland. Tolerance became a main factor in successful development of Kazakhstan.
- More than 10 years ago you suggested establishing the Single Economic Space and Customs Union in the territory of the CIS. What are the reasons of so long preparations for realization of the plan? What are the advantages of the Customs Union?
- Regional integration is one of the main trends of development of the modern world. Each country wants to develop, produce more, export more and they need market to realize it, and the bigger the market the better it is.
Since the first years of its independence Kazakhstan has conducted uniting policy for the CIS countries. I first proposed to establish a model of Eurasian Union in 1994. It was well perceived by the political and scientific circles of Russia.
Europe and Asia is one big continent. I am confident that this century will become the time for new integrations and big regional unions, particularly in Eurasian space. We do not need to wait for long to see the results.
Previously we did not have a basis for extensive integration. Now we have created the basis. We embark on a higher level of cooperation. Kazakhstan and Russia are developing really dynamically and we need space for it. Thanks to the Customs Union we have now space to develop. Presently we have only three countries in the Union - Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Now we prepare for establishing of the Single Economic Space in 2012. I believe that we will prove efficiency and productivity of this union for other countries to join it. Therefore I consider the Customs Union as a starting point, the first needed success. These are just the first steps to ensure prosperity.
We have to be more competitive
- Kazakhstan has successfully overcome consequences of the global financial crisis. What do you expect in the near future?
- There is an expression 'It is difficult to predict the future, but it is more difficult to predict the present'. We scrupulously analyzed our 'present' therefore we can now see our 'future'.
Having faced the crisis Kazakhstan did not wait for the situation to stabilize. We developed the anti-crisis plan that helped us overcome the current difficulties.
It is very important for us to found the basis for post crisis development: modernization of economy and industrialization. We have to be more competitive. Economic indicators prove it. We achieved 1.2% GDP growth in 2009. The volume of industrial output increased by 5.2 percent.
Over the first half of the current year the real GDP growth has made 8 percent. Industrial production increased by 11 percent, agriculture - more than 3 percent. Our international reserves increased by USD 6 billion and amounted to USD 53 billion.
We have to be prepared for any new unexpected difficulties.
New problems define international policy of the 21st century
- The OSCE Summit takes place in Astana on December of this year. It has not been held for 11 years. There have been a lot of problems accumulated. What do you expect from this Summit?
- In regard to the Helsinki Act which was adopted 35 years ago I can say that the world has changed dramatically since that time. It was absolutely different time. Now we have to solve absolutely new problems. Mostly, they define international policy of the 21st century.
The 21st century is the century of responsibility for our own choices. The choice of Kazakhstan is a global priority of joint decisions of all the states. Today one thing is certain - the future of humanity depends on consensus decisions by the international community. In this regard, the OSCE has a huge potential that must be disclosed fully. Thus our key priority during the OSCE chairmanship is to raise efficiency of the organization.
It is needed to hold a broad discussion on the future of the European security, and in this regard, further progress of the Corfu Process. We are also very much concerned about the developments in Central Asia. First of all we are talking about Afghanistan.
Rehabilitation of our neighbor state Kyrgyzstan also needs heightened attention of the world community.
I am confident that the Astana Summit will give a new impulse to the development of the OSCE.
Mr. Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan is undoubtedly the key state of the region. What help has your country rendered or renders to Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan?
Central Asia acquires new, global dimension today. In this regard we should re-estimate the role and value of our region in the world. Central Asia shouldn't be associated with conflicts, crisis or social problems, taking place in Afghanistan today, but with successful and dynamic development and prosperity.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the nearest neighbors of Kazakhstan. Our people are linked through bonds of kinship rooted in the distant past. We perceive the tragic events happening there with pain. In this regard Kazakhstan takes active measures for reconstruction of peace and order in the neighboring country. We send humanitarian aid to the amount of over USD 11 mln to Kyrgyzstan.
Firstly these are essential goods, food and materials which are necessary for improving people's life in the suffered regions. We supplied significant amounts of construction materials for reconstruction of destroyed houses. We also supplied coal to the amount of USD 6 mln to Kyrgyzstan.
Besides, we helped our neighbors carry out the sowing and harvesting campaigns. The Kazakh business makes active investments to the economy of the neighborhood country. It makes about 40% of the banking sector of Kyrgyzstan. But it is worthy noting that the instability in the neighbor state affects our cooperation. Lack of hard power may lead to activation of criminal elements.
In this regard we are working now together with Russia, Uzbekistan and other neighbors on stabilization of the situation in Kyrgyzstan. But there exist issues that can be solved by the people of Kyrgyzstan and its state bodies only. This is, firstly, prevention of interethnic clashes and provision of the supremacy of Law. The process of reconstruction of governmental institutions is underway in the Kyrgyz Republic. The new Constitution has been adopted, the Parliament has been elected. Kazakhstanis with great hope perceive every good news from this country.
Regarding Afghanistan I can say that drug trafficking threatens the security of the whole Eurasian continent, including European countries. Obviously, the problem can't be solved by military operations only. The Afghan state needs help in reconstruction of peaceful life and economy.
Last year Kazakhstan allocated about USD 4 mln to Afghanistan for restoration of schools, hospitals and roads. As humanitarian aid we sent grain and other foods to Afghanistan. We allocated USD 50 mln for training of 1000 Afghan students in agronomy, medicine, teaching, engineering, etc. This is our contribution to Afghanistan reconstruction.
The more Afghan people we involve in such projects, the less recruit for terrorist groups and drug mafia remains. Precisely this type of help is necessary for Afghanistan today.
Our rapprochement - regular tendency
- Mr. President, the friendship between Russia and Kazakhstan has already passed the test of time. There are no other more reliable and consistent partners in the CIS and the whole world. In your opinion, what is the secret of our friendship?
- I sincerely believe that political, economic and humanitarian relations between Russia and Kazakhstan today can serve as a model for other countries.
There are no any secrets of our friendship, we are closest neighbors. Our long land border is not separating, but uniting the two nations by ties of friendship and good-neighborhood.
Since the moment of disintegration of the Soviet Union both Russia and Kazakhstan has made every effort to strengthen these ties. We are always open for each other. The Customs Union is another evidence of our good intentions. In 1998 we signed the Declaration on eternal friendship and alliance for the twenty-first century.
The number of joint Kazakh-Russian projects increases year by year. In six months of 2010 the trade turnover between our states made USD 8 bln. This is 40% more as compared to the corresponding period of the last year. We develop the Caspian field together. Russian spacecrafts are launched from Baikonur.
Our rapprochement is a regular tendency conditioned by prospects of strategic partnership, high level of mutually beneficial and diverse cooperation as well as aspiration of our people to strengthen and develop simple human relations and contacts.
All this promotes strengthening of friendship between Kazakhstan and Russia. In the CIS region Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid his first to Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstanis value the mutual understanding, warm neighborhood relations between our states and people a lot. We wish Russia and all Russian people peace and prosperity.
