A bi-weekly online publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Friday, July 30, 2010
Issue # 82
After 35 Years, Helsinki Final Act Has Not Lost Relevance, Says OSCE Chair
After 35 years Helsinki Final Act has not lost relevance, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office: The Helsinki Final Act remains as relevant today as it was when it was signed 35 years ago, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister and Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev, said today ahead of the August 1 anniversary.
“For the 35 years of its existence, the Helsinki Final Act has not lost its relevance and topicality. The innovative and comprehensive concept of security that was established by the leaders of 35 states in Helsinki remains today an important factor of security and co-operation in the OSCE area of responsibility,” he said.
“At the same time, truly tectonic changes in the world that have taken place, particularly in recent years, require the OSCE participating States, and first and foremost their leaders, to search for adequate responses to these new challenges and threats. This is why the timeliness of an OSCE summit in Astana this year is difficult to overestimate. Our aim is to move from the concept of a ‘space of security from Vancouver to Vladivostok’ to the creation of a single Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian community of security.”
Saudabayev added: “We believe that a result of the summit will be a new ‘Spirit of Astana’ that will naturally and logically stem from the new geopolitical realities and the Helsinki Final Act. This will represent a commendable way to mark the anniversary of the Organization and will encourage new achievements in the 21st century.” more...
Kids from South Kyrgyzstan Enjoy Vacation as Part of Kazakh Assistance
Following the tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan in June, inhabitants of the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions there have been experiencing a real social disaster. Realizing the difficulties the brotherly nation is facing, Kazakhstan is rendering multi-faceted support.
This includes a humanitarian aid campaign which offers dozens of children from the areas of Kyrgyzstan, hit by the recent riots, an opportunity to spend vacation and improve their healthat a children’s health complex called “Tau Samaly” in the Zhambyl Oblast, Kazakhstan.
The action is taking place within the initiative of the Kazakh presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for 2010-2011, according to which member states are inviting the Kyrgyz children who suffered psychological trauma witnessing the riots to recover by having a memorable vacation among their fellow kids from the friendly nations.
Upon arrival at “Tau Samaly” on July 25, the children aged 10 to 15 years of Kyrgyz, Uzbek and other ethnicities were accorded a warm welcome from the complex managers and vacationing Kazakh children. After a ceremony of raising both nations’ flags, a special concert was organized for newcomers.
Deputy Director of “Tau Samaly” Askar Telebayev said: “It was the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, who gave a helping hand to our brotherly nation and initiated this program. And it’s truly a good cause to help children from the violence-stricken areas. Our children received them very warmly. The children are going through a period of adaptation now, and spending their time in our complex is a truly fun and unforgettable experience for them”. more...
Kazakh Economy Grows 8% in First Half of 2010, Challenges Remain
On Tuesday, July 27, Kazakhstan’s Cabinet has met to sum up the results of the first half of the year and discuss the challenges in implementing the strategic goals. During the extended semi-annual session, ministers and heads of state agencies reported to Prime Minister Karim Massimov, drawing a bold line under the tasks set earlier.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zhanar Aitzhanova said in the first half of this year Kazakhstan has seen a significant 8% GDP growth with the inflation rate not exceeding 4.5%. This, according to the minister, means the country has been able to overcome the crisis and reflects the nation’s upward economic trend. Measures taken by the government within the anti-crisis programme focused on stimulating the domestic demand and maintaining business activity have made an important contribution to the economic recovery, she added.
The development of non-financial sector came to the top as well, for the industrial production of Kazakhstan has grown by 11% against 1.8% upturn over the same period last year. The dynamics of growth is common for the country’s manufacturing industry (18.3%), mechanic engineering (67.8%), chemical sector (67.5%), food industry (14.6%) and agriculture (3.1%).
In addition, the reduction of investments flow into the manufacturing industry, wholesale and retail business, transport and warehousing stimulated the advancement of internal resources, which accounted for 40.2% in agriculture, 27.7% in production sector, 39.8% and 54.8% in construction field and electricity supply. more...
Authorities Report Completing Repair in Village Destroyed by Spring Flood
Kazakhstan’s government has pulled all stops to rebuild the Kyzylagash village, ravaged by a flood last March. In just four months the state fully restored the flood-affected village in the Almaty oblast, including all socially important facilities and residential houses.
On July 28, Kyzylagash residents witnessed an opening ceremony of the last part of new cottages and 12 apartments, rural schools, hospitals, and kindergartens with Akim (Governor) of the oblast Serik Umbetov handing the keys for those moving in.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of social facilities, Umbetov said: “A prompt and efficient construction of the whole village with all communications, housing and social facilities indicates the economic power of Kazakhstan, the government’s work for citizens, and the unity of all its inhabitants in the face of emerging threats.”
Apart from the state’s support, many public organizations, private companies and ordinary citizens offered their help, so that the residents during the reconstruction works be provided with everything that is necessary both at the place of evacuation and a tent camp: hot meals, clothing, hygiene products, medicine and medical help. When the tragedy happened in March, in a nationwide campaign those who sympathised donated their income of one day to relief and reconstruction efforts in the flood-hit village.
In general, with repair and rehabilitation operations in Kyzylagash, 465 new cottages were built and 30 houses were fully repaired.In erecting these new cottages, modern construction materials were used. All of them were supplied by furniture and household appliances. Each house has a water supply system, a telephone line and internet access.
Apart from village restoration, the government provided a post-disaster recovery. Every cottage is granted a garden plot of 15 hundred square meters; each resident receives about two hundred kilograms of grain grown on specially designated areas at the expense of the local budget. more...
Lake Alakol Attracts Tourists with Its Silky Water, Unique Bird Watching
As the tourist season gathers pace, one of the most unique destinations of Kazakhstan, the Alakol Lake, attracts vacationers and holidaymakers from around the country and abroad.
The Alakol is located 180 kilometres east of the Balqash Lake, near the border with the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China. It is a part of the Balqash-Alakol lowland and the northwest extension of the region known as the Dzhungarian Gate (Alatau Pass), a narrow valley connecting the southeastern uplands of Kazakhstan with arid northwest China.
The Alakol itself has both large and small islands plus areas of marsh and scrub. It towers 347 meters above sea level, and is 104 kilometers long and 52 kilometres wide. The lake reaches a depth of 55 metres and receives more than 15 feeders including the Urdzhar, Katynsu, Yemelkuisa, Zhamanty and Tasty rivers.
The Alakol Lake is unique in its beauty and wildlife. Its colour changes from violet to dark blue or even light pink, depending on the time of day and the weather. It is traditionally one of the destinations where Soviet cosmonauts were advised to travel to have a rest and relax after a mission. The average summer temperature of the water is 26 degrees Celsius.
In the center of the Alakol there are Ulken, Kishkene, Araltobe, Belkuduk and a number of other smaller islands. The two big beach areas are in Koktuma and Akshy settlements on the southern shore. The black pebble beaches around the lake offer opportunities for swimming or simply soaking up the sun. The water, with the salinity range of 16%, is also renowned for its healing qualities. In addition, the lakeside area offers tourists a chance to try a mud bath.
A Bird Island, situated in the middle of the lake, is a conservation site and a home to nesting birds in the summer. The main attraction of this area is bird life, with a huge variety of water birds congregating here, such as Dalmatian and White Pelican, Ferruginous Duck, and White-Tailed Eagle. more...
NEWS
Pages 1 - 20 of 77
2010-07-29 After 35 years Helsinki Final Act has not lost relevance, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
2010-07-22 OSCE Chairperson says presence of Police Advisory Group in Kyrgyzstan will facilitate strengthening trust, stability and order in country
2010-07-20 Statement by Mr. Kanat Saudabayev, Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE and Secretary of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, at the International Conference on Afghanistan
Kabul, 20 July 2010
2010-07-17 Joint Statement by the Heads of Delegation of the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries
2010-07-17 OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting in Almaty focuses
on Corfu Process progress, Kyrgyzstan, an OSCE summit
2010-07-07 OSCE Foreign Ministers to meet in Almaty on 16-17 July
2010-06-28 Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan’s Secretary of State – Minister of Foreign Affairs Kanat Saudabayev on the referendum in Kyrgyzstan
2010-06-26 OSCE high-level conference on tolerance and non-discrimination
to take place in Astana next week
2010-06-15 OSCE States call for restoration of peace in Kyrgyzstan, stand ready to step up assistance
2010-06-14 Media accreditation for Almaty informal meeting of OSCE Foreign Ministers on 16-17 July opens
2010-06-14 Crisis of confidence at the core of security challenges, says Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister
2010-06-12 OSCE holds emergency consultations on Kyrgyzstan, sends special envoy
2010-06-08 High-level OSCE conference in Astana on tolerance and non-discrimination to take place in the end of June
2010-05-31 Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
2010-05-21 OSCE Chairperson examines Cheonan corvette report, offers condolences to bereaved families, supports measures for maintaining peace in Northeast Asia
2010-05-20 Statement of the CICA Member States on the situation in Thailand
2010-05-19 OSCE Chairperson calls for calm in southern Kyrgyzstan
2010-05-18 OSCE, Asian Partners discuss comprehensive approach to security
2010-05-17 In Kabul, FM Saudabayev Says Kazakhstan Wants to Help Bring Peace to Afghanistan
2010-05-17 High-level OSCE conference in Astana to focus on tolerance and non-discrimination
