Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Met with UNESCO Director-General

03.10.2023, 10:29 5926

7th Session of Kazakh-UK Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Advancing Partnership to a New Level

Images | Kazakh MFA

Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. Key priorities of this joint work have been reviewed at the 7th Session of the Kazakh-UK Strategic Dialogue led by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and Parliamentary Secretary of State for Europe at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Leo Docherty MP, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The parties discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the major multilateral and regional agenda.

Kazakhstan is committed to further strengthening multifaceted strategic partnership with the United Kingdom and welcomes active political contacts, positive dynamics in trade and investments and the broadening of the legal framework of cooperation," stated Vassilenko.

The UK highly appreciates its partnership with Kazakhstan, including within the context of regional engagement and energy cooperation with Europe," said Docherty.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan noted advanced preparations for signing the bilateral Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that is expected to move mutually beneficial intergovernmental partnership to a qualitatively new level. He also confirmed the readiness to continue promoting comprehensive dialogue between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

The session of the Strategic Dialogue focused on key areas of collaboration, including transport and logistics, critical minerals and renewable energy, environment and healthcare.

Considering ample opportunities for productive partnership in the sphere of education, Deputy Minister Vassilenko called for advancing cooperation on the issues of opening branches of UK universities in Kazakhstan and simplifying arrangements for increasing people-to-people ties. The parties also discussed exchanging information and researching British archival data on Kazakhstan and the region of Central Asia.

The Strategic Dialogue is a key mechanism of engagement between Kazakhstan and the UK. The previous session of the dialogue was held in London in December 2022 between two countries’ Foreign Ministers.

For reference: The United Kingdom is a key political, trade and economic and investment partner of Kazakhstan. 2022 marked the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Last year, the volume of Kazakh-British bilateral trade increased by more than 60% compared to 2021 and reached 1.8 billion US dollars (export - 1.5 billion; import - 384.3 million). During January-August this year bilateral trade grew to 879 million (export - 559 million; import - 320 million).

The United Kingdom is among the top 10 largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Last year, Kazakhstan’s economy attracted 661 million in FDI from the UK and over 16 billion in total since 2005. There are also around 600 companies with British capital registered in Kazakhstan.

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02.10.2023, 19:52 2341

5th Moscow format consultation meeting on Afghanistan took place

The 5th Moscow format consultation meeting on Afghanistan took place in the capital of Tatarstan. Representatives of Russia, Kazakhstan, China, India, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar took part in the consultations. The delegation of the new administration of Afghanistan, headed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, was present as a guests, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustan Minnikhanov addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech. A thorough exchange of views took place on the situation in and around Afghanistan and its impact on regional security. The meeting participants unanimously spoke in favor of continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and further interaction with the de facto government of this country.

In his speech, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Talgat Kaliev drew the attention of the audience to the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. Following the meeting, a joint statement was adopted.

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29.09.2023, 19:57 26406

Ambassador of Jordan to Kazakhstan Presented Copies of Credentials

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev, received the copies of credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Hamzeh Alomari, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the conversation, the parties exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between Kazakhstan and Jordan in the political, trade, economic and investment spheres.

The diplomats also discussed the agenda of the upcoming joint events, including the 5th meeting of the Kazakh-Jordanian Intergovernmental Committee scheduled later this year.

Following the meeting, the diplomats agreed to continue efforts to expand political dialogue and build up business ties between the two countries.

Kazakhstan and Jordan are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Over the years, Astana and Amman have established a trusting relationship at the highest levels, contributing to the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats.

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29.09.2023, 12:55 26561

Ambassador of Kazakhstan Presents Letters of Credence to Federal President of Austria

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria, Mukhtar Tileuberdi, presented his credentials to Federal President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the ceremony at the Hofburg, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan conveyed to the President of Austria the greetings of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. For his part, the Federal President referred to his recent meeting with the Head of State on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

During the discussion, the parties noted the commonality of positions on a number of important issues on the international agenda, including mutual support as landlocked countries, the need to strengthen the OSCE institution, as well as the possibility of addressing modern geopolitical challenges. Taking into account the growing importance of the Central Asian region, the parties agreed to discuss the possibility of organizing mutual visits at the highest level.

At the end of the meeting, the President of Austria congratulated the Ambassador on his official assumption of office and wished him success in further strengthening Kazakh-Austrian relations.

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29.09.2023, 11:53 26721

Kazakhstan and Cyprus Aim to Intensify Broad Cooperation

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko undertook a working visit to the Republic of Cyprus. The visit comprised the inaugural political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries and the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Nicosia, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, received Vassilenko. Negotiations were also held with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Irene Charalambidis, members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs - Parliamentary Friendship Group, and representatives of the Business Association "Cyprus - Kazakhstan".

During the audience with the President of Cyprus, the Kazakh diplomat presented him a congratulatory letter from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in anticipation of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus on October 1. President Christodoulidis conveyed his best wishes to the leader of Kazakhstan, acknowledging the robust bilateral ties and expressing a keen interest in further enhancing and broadening the relationship. The discussions identified investments, IT, green energy, tourism, and the expansion of citizen contacts as prospective areas of collaboration.

Addressing the international agenda, both parties underscored their dedication to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, especially the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

During comprehensive negotiations with the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, both sides deliberated on the present status and potential avenues for deepening the political dialogue between their countries. The diplomats commended the growth trajectory of bilateral ties, agreeing to develop a structured roadmap for future collaboration.

Following their meeting, Combos and Vassilenko signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of tourism. The agreement outlines the primary avenues of collaboration in the burgeoning domain of tourism.

The first round of political consultations, led by Roman Vassilenko and Cyprus Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Kyriakos Kouros cemented the joint ambition of Astana and Nicosia to bolster political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian synergies. The dialogue also encompassed discussions about the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asian regions and pertinent global and regional security issues.

Furthermore, discussions spanned the bilateral interactions within a multilateral framework. Emphasis was laid on the aspects of cooperation within the Kazakhstan-EU dimension, with the Cypriot side endorsing the ongoing initiatives in this area between Astana and Brussels. Diplomats recognized the impactful outcomes of the business forums organized this year in Limassol and Almaty.

During the meeting at the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Charalambidis, warmly recalling her visit to Astana as Head of the OSCE PA short-term observer mission during the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan earlier in March, voiced her support for Kazakhstan’s socio-political reforms and the ongoing democratic transition.

Significant attention from the Cypriot leadership, parliamentary friendship group, and representatives of the business association "Cyprus - Kazakhstan" was centered on President Tokayev’s initiatives. These initiatives pertain to the modernization of the political system and economic reforms, as detailed in the address "Economic Course of Fair Kazakhstan".

A pivotal moment of the visit was the inauguration of the Honorary Consulate’s office in Nicosia. Members of the government, Parliament, the diplomatic corps, business, Kazakh diaspora, and the Cypriot media attended the event.

In his address, Roman Vassilenko highlighted the pivotal role the Honorary Consulate will play in nurturing Kazakh-Cypriot ties. Introducing the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan, the erstwhile renowned politician and respected businessperson, Georgios Lakkotrypis, he expressed optimism about the consulate’s potential contributions across sectors like tourism, culture, science, education, economy, and trade. Providing support and assistance to Kazakh citizens abroad were identified as pillars of the consulate’s mission.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Cyprus, Satybaldy Burshakov, actively participated in the events during the visit.

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28.09.2023, 17:03 26236

Arman Shakkaliev held a meeting with the Honorary Consul of the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Australia Mr. Andrew Ferneyhough

Mr. Andrew Ferneyhough presented an algorithm for accelerating export potential, opportunities for increasing trade turnover, including opportunities for digitalization of trade procedures, press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.

The meeting discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, increase in mutual trade turnover, including trade barriers, certification, technical regulation.

The parties agreed on further cooperation and interaction in priority sectors.

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27.09.2023, 09:19 37461

Astana and London Strengthen Bilateral and Multilateral Dialogu

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with Minister of State for the Armed Forces of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland James Heappey, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

They discussed key areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, including in the sphere of defence.

Recent active contacts at the political level, growing trade and economic partnership as well as fruitful people-to-people ties were also reviewed during the meeting.

Deputy Minister Vassilenko stressed Kazakhstan’s interest in further deepening and broadening mutually beneficial relationship with the UK.

The parties also exchanged views on multilateral topics and pressing issues on the global and regional agenda during the meeting.

Vassilenko informed Minister of State Heappey about Kazakhstan’s initiatives, aimed at promoting international cooperation and security.

Concluding the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual readiness to advance constructive dialogue further across the whole spectrum of Kazakh-British relations.

For reference: For over three decades of diplomatic relations, steadfast development of cooperation and dialogue between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom has been facilitated by effective mechanisms of bilateral engagement such as the Strategic Dialogue, the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Business Council and the All-Party Parliamentary Cooperation Group.

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26.09.2023, 16:20 40341

Departing Dutch Ambassador Sent Off with Honors at the Foreign Ministry as His Successor Presents Copies of Credentials

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko presented a letter of appreciation from Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to the departing Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands André Carstens on the occasion of the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in Astana, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports. Deputy Minister Vassilenko thanked Ambassador Carstens for the many years of active efforts and valuable contribution to broadening Kazakh-Dutch partnership and highlighted his focus on the environment. It was noted that the tulip statue gifted by the Netherlands at Ambassador Carstens’ initiative became a beautiful symbol of friendship between the peoples of our countries and a fitting adornment of the capital’s Botanic garden. During the same meeting, Deputy Minister Vassilenko also received copies of credentials of the newly appointed Dutch Ambassador to Kazakhstan Nico Schermers. The parties discussed the state and prospects of Kazakh-Dutch political and economic cooperation, stressing the importance of further strengthening investment partnership, considering the leading role of the Netherlands among foreign investors in Kazakhstan. The diplomats welcomed active exchange of business missions between the two countries. The Deputy Minister confirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in cooperating with the Netherlands in water management, agriculture and other promising areas. For reference: The Netherlands are among the biggest foreign investors and a key trade and economic partner of Kazakhstan. Last year, bilateral trade increased by 27% and reached 5.7 billion US dollars, compared to 4.2 billion in 2021. The Netherlands invested 8.3 billion US dollars to Kazakhstan in 2022, registering a 19.7% increase compared to 2021. Since 2005, the volume of direct investment from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan exceeded 114 billion US dollars.

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Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Met with UNESCO Director-General

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