WEEKLY REVIEW: Kazakhstan intends to strengthen Asian vector of its foreign policy and cancel visa regime with the most developed countries
On Monday, April 23, Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Kazykhanov speaking at the Government Hour in the Majilis said, currently the world center of economic and political development is gradually shifting to Asia, and economic integration of the Asian regions becomes a defining trend. Therefore, taking into account the financial and economic crisis in Europe, Kazakhstan's foreign policy will be aimed at increasing cooperation with the Asian countries. At the same time, the European vector remains among the priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy. The work on concluding the comprehensive agreement on an expanded partnership and cooperation with the EU, which should be the document defining the objectives and principles of the Kazakh-European cooperation, covering all spheres of interaction, without exception will be continued.
Kazakh Vice-Minister of Agriculture Marat Tolibayev said KZT 20 billion will be allocated for the further implementation of the National Program "With diploma - to the village" in the next three years . This year, taking into account the livestock development plans, veterinarians are included into the list of popular professions of the program.
On Tuesday April 24, a governmental delegation led by 1st Vice Premier of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov visited the largest industrial exhibition, Hannover Messe.
The Kazakh delegation got familiarized with modern achievements in development of innovations, advanced technologies and automation. Stands of German companies engaged in engineering, metallurgy industry, micro and nanotechnologies, renewable energy, integrated systems, information and digital technologies stirred great interest.
For the first time Industrial Automation/Hannover Messe was held in 1947. Now it is the world's most important technology event to showcase ground-breaking innovations.
"Kazakhstan intends to cancel visa regime with 34 most developed countries," Industry and New Technologies Minister Aset Issekeshev told April 24, at the Government meeting.
"We know the Foreign Ministry is implementing the project on canceling visa regime with 34 most developed countries. We think, it is essential to speed it up," Issekeshev said. These measures are to develop tourism in Kazakhstan. The official statistics indicate steady growth of tourism industry. 2011 inbound tourism reached above 5.6 mln people, outbound stood at 5.3 mln.
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov has charged Transport and Communications Minister Askar Zhumagaliyev along with the governors of regions to complete realization of the Almaty ring road (BAKAD) project. "Follow the projects to its logical end. Prepare a meeting on the BAKAD project," the PM said.
On Tuesday, April 24 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has welcomed the participants of the 46th International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad.
Secretary of State Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed read out the President's message at the opening ceremony. "Kazakhstan in recent years has become the venue for a number of prestigious intellectual competitions among young people. For the second time our country welcomes the most talented young chemists.
At this time the scientific forum brought together representatives from more than 20 countries. For our country, which has chosen the path of industrial-innovative development, it is particularly important because the chemical industry is an essential component of any modern economy," the President's address reads.
"The International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad is not only a good influence on the development of school chemical education, it attracts talented students to research, contributes to the wide interchange of interesting ideas among young people around the world", the President noted.
"I am sure for many of you this contest will be a launching pad into the world of big science. I wish all participants good results in this intellectual competition, new scientific discoveries, prosperity and good luck!" the Head of State concluded.
The competition will last till April 29. The next 47th Mendeleev Olympiad will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 2013.
Kazakh First Vice Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with Foreign Policy Speaker of the CDU / CSU Coalition in the Bundestag Philip Misfelder, members of the German parliament and leaders of major German corporations and industry associations.
During the negotiations the sides discussed issues of cooperation in attracting German investment and advanced technologies in the creation of modern industrial production in Kazakhstan.
S. Akhmetov and executive director of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Rainer Lindner exchanged their views on strengthening of the bilateral trade economic and investment cooperation and visit of German economic delegation chaired by Chairman of the Committee on Eastern European Economic E. Kordes to Kazakhstan scheduled on June.
The parties noted the growth of mutual trade and the successful launch of the implementation of industrial-innovative projects signed in the February visit of Kazakh authorities to Berlin.
Kazakh delegation visited also the "Siemens" company plant for the production of the most powerful gas turbine units. During the inspection of manufacturing facilities and talks the sides discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation in the implementation of German technology in Kazakhstan.
Wednesday, April 25, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev received Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov. The Minister told about the planned activities connected with the 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan as well as the progress of preparation for the international exhibition KADEX 2012, which will be held in May in Astana. He also told about the current work of the Ministry and modernization of the Armed Forces. Following the meeting Nursultan Nazarbayev gave specific instructions to the Ministry.
On Thursday, April 26 Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev has received Chairman of the Kazakh Sports and Physical Culture Agency Talgat Yermegiyayev.
The latter reported to the President on the Agency's activity, mass sport and healthy life style development, the Presidential press service said. Nursultan Nazarbayev has charged to attract Kazakhstanis to go in for participant sports. Besides, Yermegiyayev informed Nursultan Nazarbayev of the preparations of the Kazakh national team for the London Olympic Games. "We have set the task to win 13 medals, 3 gold medals as a minimum. We plan to improve our results achieved at the Beijing Olympiad," he added.
On April 26 , Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov held bilateral meetings with his colleagues from Finland and Ireland during his visit to Bucharest.
The issues regarding the higher pedagogical education system in Finland, selection of applicants, practical component of education as well as the issues of statuses of higher education institutions preparing future teachers were discussed at a meeting with Minister of Education and Science of Finland Jukka Gustafsson. The sides also addressed the issues regarding specialized school education system and its succession with the higher education.
Later in the day, B.Zhumagulov met with Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn. A wide range of issues including results achieved in the higher education system of Ireland during the process of its modernization and since signing the Bologna Declaration were discussed at the meeting. It is worth noting that Kazakhstan became a participant of the Bologna Declaration relatively short time ago.
B.Zhumagulov paid special attention to the issues of further cooperation within "Bolashak" Program. Ireland has been one of the popular countries chosen by holders of the President's scholarship for many years now.
Besides, the Ministers addressed the issues regarding attraction of IT companies to cooperation with the higher education system and the issues of efficient development of e-learning and distance learning.
