Kazakhstan calls upon UN states to develop plans on realization of goals of International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures - RK MFA
Kazakhstan calls upon all the United Nations member states to develop national plans on realization of the goals of the International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures that was proposed by official Astana to be taken place in 2010. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Marat Tazhin informed during the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, the agency reports referring to the press service of RK MFA.
Astana. September 30. Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstan calls upon all the United Nations member states to develop national plans on realization of the goals of the International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures that was proposed by official Astana to be taken place in 2010. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Marat Tazhin informed during the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, the agency reports referring to the press service of RK MFA.
"Kazakhstan actively participates in activities of Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends and Tripartite forum on development of interreligious cooperation. Our initiative on declaration of the International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures of 2010 has been supported by all member states of the organization and is reflected in the resolution of the UN General Assembly of 2007," M. Tazhin reminded.
"We call upon all the countries and the organizations of the UN system to develop national plans on realization of the goals of the International Year as it is reflected in the resolution," he emphasized.
"Kazakhstan initiated convocation of the Ministerial Conference under the motto Common World: Progress through Diversity to further develop the ideas of rapprochement of civilizations." Its first meeting with participation of Ministers for Foreign Affairs from different regions of the planet will take place in Astana in October, 2008," Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs.
"Preparing for presidency in OSCE in 2010 and to the Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 2011, Kazakhstan plans to use this unique opportunity to discuss the questions of strengthening of tolerance and continuation of efforts of the member countries on struggle against all forms of discrimination as the key items of the agenda of the organizations," he informed.
M. Tazhin also reminded that at the initiative of the leader of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana became the place of carrying out of two congresses of leaders of world and traditional religions in 2003 and 2006. "The forum, the next summit of which will take place in 2009, has already proved as an effective international mechanism of strengthening of peace and tolerance on the global scale," he said.
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The discussion focused on issues of bilateral, regional and international cooperation, as well as measures to enhance the entire spectrum of Kazakh-British relationship.
Minister Nurtleu welcomed dynamic intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary contacts that have facilitated deepening of partnership in various sectors over the recent years, and reconfirmed his readiness to broaden dialogue further between the foreign ministries of two countries.
With a view to increase engagement in trade, economic and investment spheres, Kazakh Foreign Minister underlined the importance of promoting institutional mechanism of cooperation, including the Strategic Dialogue and the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Cameron noted that the UK pays great attention to developing cooperation with Kazakhstan as the key partner in Central Asia. He also expressed support for the ongoing reforms in our country and the readiness of London to deepen its ties with Astana.
An important outcome of the talks at the Foreign Ministry was the signing of the historic Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the UK that is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in key sectors, such as foreign policy and security, trade and investment, protection of intellectual property, energy and raw materials partnership, transportation, environment protection and climate change, banking and financial services, employment and social policy, science and education.
According to Minister Nurtleu, "this comprehensive agreement will be a significant step in taking political, trade and investment relations between Astana and London to new horizons… We believe our strong and mutually beneficial strategic partnership will continue to strengthen in all areas, from energy to rare metals, from ecology to education."
A number of bilateral documents in the sphere of healthcare and transport as well as MoUs on opening a branch of Queen’s University Belfast in Almaty and launching Kazakh language courses at Oxford University were also concluded during the visit.
For reference: trade between Kazakhstan and the UK in 2023 reached 1.2 million US dollars (exports - 703 million, imports - 478,7 million).
There are around 600 companies and joint ventures with British capital in Kazakhstan.
The UK is among the top 10 foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Last year, Kazakhstan’s economy attracted 795 million in FDI from the UK and over 17 billion in total since 2005.
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On Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to Thailand
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Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Thailand upon the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During the talks, sides discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Kazakh-Thai relations in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.
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Thailand is the largest and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the Southeast Asian region. Over three decades of strong diplomatic relations, regular contacts between our states have paved the way for comprehensive and fruitful interaction," said Kazakh Foreign Minister.
Both sides noted the significant potential of cooperation in the sphere of agriculture and food security. They stressed the need to intensify contacts of business circles and search for the most advantageous conditions for transportation of goods between the two countries.
There is a constructive dialog between our countries, the positions of our states on many issues coincide. Kazakhstan is our key partner in Central Asia," said the Thai Foreign Minister.
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Following the visit, the heads of foreign ministries signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Exemption from Visa Requirements of National Passport Holders. According to this document, citizens of the both countries can stay without a visa for up to 30 calendar days from the date of entry into each other’s territory. The Agreement will come fully valid after the parties finalize the domestic procedures.
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Foreign Ministers noted satisfaction with the outcome of the talks and expressed confidence in further fruitful cooperation.
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Kazakh Cinema Days held in Vilnius
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The film "Kazakh Khanate. Golden Throne", presented to the Lithuanian audience on the second day, was filmed based on the famous novel "Nomads" by Ilyas Esenberlin and covers the events of the 15th century, when the process of formation of the first Kazakh state was actively underway. The film was screened on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the formation of the Ulus Juchi and the 5th World Nomad Games, which will be held in Astana from 8 to 14 September this year.
Lithuanian viewers were interested in the production of Kazakh cinema and received virtual access to the archives of "Kazakhfilm", reflecting the evolution of Kazakh cinema.
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