12.04.2019, 19:17 5488

New Zealand's new gun law takes effect

New Zealand's new gun law officially took effect on Friday less than a month after the terror attacks on Christchurch mosques which killed 50 people.
New Zealand's new gun law officially took effect on Friday less than a month after the terror attacks on Christchurch mosques which killed 50 people, China Daily reports.
 
Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy signed the law on Thursday night, which was the final step before it becomes law.
 
The New Zealand parliament passed the bill after its third or the final reading on Wednesday night. In acordance with the new gun law, possessing military-style semi-automatics (MSSAs) and assault rifles and associated parts will be illegal.
 
The new gun bill, namely the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines and parts) Amendment Bill, won overwhelming support in the parliament as it was passed by a vote of 119 to 1.
 
Possession of prohibited firearms could face a jail term up to five years, according to the bill.
 
The New Zealand government had vowed to ban MSSAs soon after the Christchurch terrorist attacks on March 15, which also injured 50 others.
 
The New Zealand government has also announced that a legal framework for the gun buyback will be established.
 
 
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18.04.2024, 21:30 1516

Kazakh-German Cooperation Discussed at MFA

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with the German delegation led by member of the Bundestag and Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party Nils Schmid, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

Nils Schmid expressed words of support to the people of Kazakhstan and wished a soon recovery from the consequences of the floods.

The meeting focused on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in broadening Kazakh-German cooperation. The parties also exchanged views on the issues on the international agenda.

The parties also discussed issues related to regional cooperation with Germany, following the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Berlin and his participation in the first meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany in September 2023 that provided a qualitatively new substance to the whole spectrum of the relationship between Astana and Berlin.

Deputy Minister Vassilenko confirmed the interest of the Kazakh side in maintaining an active political dialogue and strengthening trade and economic cooperation with Germany. In this context, the parties reviewed opportunities to increase engagement in such priority areas as environment and climate change, management of water resources, transport and logistics.

The German side welcomed the ongoing political and socio-economic reforms in Kazakhstan, noting the importance of the new legislation on criminalizing domestic abuse. Member of the Bundestag Nils Schmid noted that the protection of women in the society promotes their active representation in all spheres of a country’s life.

In conclusion, the parties agreed to maintain an active dialogue between the parliaments, research funds and experts.
 

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18.04.2024, 08:33 1341

Parliament of Canada is Interested in Further Deepening Cooperation with Kazakhstan

Parliament of Canada is Interested in Further Deepening Cooperation with Kazakhstan
Images | Kazakh MFA
The annual general meeting of the Kazakhstan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group held in the Parliament of Canada, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

At the beginning of the event, members of the Canadian Parliament expressed their support to Kazakhstan in connection with major floods in a number of regions of the country, praising the actions of the Kazakh authorities in the fight against the natural disaster and its consequences.

Canadian parliamentarians also supported the policy of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to carry out large-scale democratic reforms, including in the field of human rights protection and ensuring the principles of the rule of law. In this context, the legislators welcomed the adoption on April 15 this year of a package of laws aimed at toughening penalties in the field of domestic violence.

Special attention during the meeting was paid to the development of Kazakh-Canadian relations, as well as parliamentary ties between the two countries. Canadian parliamentarians expressed their readiness to provide comprehensive assistance in promoting bilateral cooperation, including in the field of agriculture, energy, transportation and logistics, digital technologies and education.

Following the event, the two sides agreed to organize a visit of the Canadian parliamentary delegation to Kazakhstan in 2024.
 

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17.04.2024, 22:26 10216

Kazakh-Uzbek Сonsular Сonsultations took place in Tashkent

Regular consular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the leadership Azamat Aubekov, Deputy Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Vahit Tursunov, Deputy Head of the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the consultations, the parties discussed in detail the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the consular and migration sphere. Special attention was paid to the protection of rights and interests of individuals and legal entities, including citizenship issues, as well as the conditions of mutual travel of citizens of the two countries.

At the end of the consultations, the parties confirmed their interest in continuing cooperation between the competent institutions of both countries.
 

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15.04.2024, 15:19 22751

Kazakhstan Took Part in the 2nd Ministerial Meeting on Strategic Dialogue "Central Asia - Gulf Cooperation Council"

Kazakhstan Took Part in the 2nd Ministerial Meeting on Strategic Dialogue "Central Asia - Gulf Cooperation Council"
Images | Kazakh MFA
The 2nd Ministerial Meeting on Strategic Dialogue "Central Asia - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)" took place in Tashkent, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

Kazakhstan delegation was headed by Alibek Bakayev, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the event, the countries of Central Asia and GCC discussed the state and prospects of interregional cooperation, as well as current issues of the international agenda.

Kazakh diplomat, in his statement noted the huge potential of this dialogue platform and made specific proposals for increasing cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and technological fields.

In this context, Alibek Bakayev emphasized the importance of strengthening trade relations between the two regions and invited the Gulf States to take an active part in the implementation of joint investment projects in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.

In addition, the head of the Kazakh delegation voiced Kazakh initiatives such as expansion of the activities of the Islamic Organization for Food Security and use of the potential of the International Technopark of IT startups "Astana Hub" and organizing of the 5th World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan in September this year.

Concluding the meeting parties adopted Joint Statement, which aimed at strengthening comprehensive cooperation in key areas between the two regions.

It is worth mentioning that the "Central Asia - GCC" dialogue platform was launched in 2022. The First Ministerial Meeting took place in September 2022 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, while the First Summit of this platform was held in July 2023 in Jeddah, with participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
 

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12.04.2024, 10:17 46631

Astana International Forum Discussed at OECD

Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to International Organizations in Paris Askar Abdrakhmanov met with Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Fabrizia Lapecorella, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The parties exchanged views on the current cooperation and plans, as well as a number of issues of the implementation of the Organisation’s recommendations in the field of tax administration, the statistical system and participation of Kazakhstan in OECD’s working bodies.

Fabrizia Lapecorella, noting the relevance of Kazakhstan’s meaningful contribution to the global agenda, confirmed the intention of the OECD to ensure its delegation’s active participation in the Astana International Forum to be held on June 13-14, 2024.

In his turn, Ambassador Abdrakhmanov, expressing appreciation for the support of Kazakhstan’s initiatives, familiarized the OECD leadership with the political and socio economic reforms carried out in our country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue close and constructive cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
 

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11.04.2024, 17:17 56971

Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka Intend to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The second round of Kazakh-Sri Lankan political consultations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev and Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka Aruni Wijewardane, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as exchanged views on topical issues on the international and regional agenda.

The diplomats confirmed their join commitment to further strengthen relations in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

Noting the need to intensify political contacts, the sides exchanged views on the arrangement in 2024 bilateral visits of high and highest levels. The Sri Lankan side confirmed its intention to open its diplomatic mission in Astana.

Stressing the need for regular bilateral consultations, the parties agreed to maintain a close dialogue between the foreign ministries.
 

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11.04.2024, 08:42 60716

Prospects for Cooperation in the Field of Official Development Assistance Discussed in Brussels

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Margulan Baimukhan met with the Director General of the Belgian Development Agency "Enabel" Jean Van Wetter, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

At the beginning of the conversation, Jean Van Wetter expressed hope for a quick stabilization of the flood situation in Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed potential cooperation between Kazakhstan and Belgium in the field of joint official development assistance programs.

Kazakh diplomat congratulated the Belgian organization on its 25th anniversary and emphasized the important role of "Enabel" in providing official development assistance in various countries.

Margulan Baimukhan also noted the activities of the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development "KazAID". Particular attention was paid to projects of "KazAID" in Central Asia and African countries.

In turn, the head of "Enabel" highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s achievements in the field of digitalization and noted the interest in cooperation with "KazAID" in the field of digitalization in Africa.

Parties agreed to hold an extended meeting with representatives of "KazAID" to discuss prospects for cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Margulan Baimukhan invited the head of "Enabel" to visit Kazakhstan.

For reference: Currently, the Belgian agency "Enabel" employs more than 2.2 thousand employees, of which 2 thousand are involved in "field" missions. The agency implements 170 projects in 21 countries. Enabel’s annual turnover exceeds 300 million euros.
 

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10.04.2024, 20:30 61366

Strengthening Cooperation between Kazakhstan and South Africa Discussed at MFA

Strengthening Cooperation between Kazakhstan and South Africa Discussed at MFA
Images | Kazakh MFA
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Africa to the Republic of Kazakhstan Kiitumetzi Siipilo Tandeka Matthews, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Alibek Bakaev underscored the significance of advancing Kazakh-South African relations amidst the increasing role of the African continent on the global affairs.

South African Ambassador Matthews expressed confidence in the continued enhancement of mutually beneficial collaboration between Astana and Pretoria.

Both parties delineated plans to broaden comprehensive cooperation and reviewed the schedule of forthcoming visits and events at the high and highest levels.
 

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