Briefing by Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan A.S. Smadiyarov, Astana city, on November 7, 2022
Content:
1. Outcomes of the first official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to the Republic of North Macedonia;
2. The official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates;
3. Political consultations between Kazakhstan and Serbia;
4. Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Turkic States;
5. Alem Saz International Festival;
6. Presentation of an anniversary stamp and a coin, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's membership in the United Nations;
7. A visa-free regime for citizens of Kazakhstan to Iran;
8. Opening a new Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Turkey.
1. Outcomes of the first official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to the Republic of North Macedonia
On November 1, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi made the first official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia in terms of bilateral relations. During the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan met with the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovsky, the Chair of the Assembly (Parliament) Talat Xhaferi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani. Following the talks, the Ministers adopted a Joint Statement containing the key results of the parties’ agreements. They announced the decision to open the Embassy of Kazakhstan in North Macedonia in 2023, thus giving an additional impetus to the strengthening of traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.
2. The official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates
On November 3, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi made an official visit to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and in the 5th round of political consultations. The future development prospects of bilateral relations were negotiated with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The parties exchanged views on topical international issues.
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Suhail Al-Mazrui chaired the Emirati delegation at the political consultations. The parties noted the high level of mutual understanding and mutual support of the two states in the international arena. A close political dialogue has been established at the highest level. An agreement was reached to further strengthen an effective partnership within the framework of multilateral structures.
Also, the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission was held in the capital of the UAE, that resulted in signing the relevant Protocol. The parties have agreed to cooperate in the following sectors: investment, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian. They identify the promising joint projects in the sectors, such as education and science, agriculture, energy and renewable energy sources, mining and metallurgical complex, transport and logistics, construction, etc.
3. Political consultations between Kazakhstan and Serbia
On November 4, 2022, the delegations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Serbia held another round of political consultations. The Kazakhstan delegation was represented by the Director of the Department of Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Olzhas Suleimenov, the Serbian delegation was represented by the Director of the Department of Russia and Eurasia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Vladimir Jovicic.
The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation, confirming the mutual intention to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian sectors. Particular attention was paid to the issues of interaction in a multilateral format, as well as the international agenda.
The diplomats reviewed the plans for expanding contacts between the two countries, including the exchange of visits, holding regular meetings of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, as well as expanding the bilateral legal framework.
4. The Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of Turkic States
On November 10, 2022, in Samarkand city, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi is participating in the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States. During the event, it is planned to address the issues of preparation for the upcoming Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, as well as to agree on documents submitted for signing by the Heads of States.
5. Alem Saz International Festival
On 7-16 November, 2022, Alem Saz International Festival is taking place to mark the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and a number of foreign states, as well as to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous Kazakh singer Roza Baglanova. It will be attended by representatives of seven states - Belarus, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, Russia and Turkey, which will present their creativity.
The Festival will include music concerts, fairs, master classes by artists, film screenings and exhibitions. The event is taking place in the Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall, open to the public.
It’s worth noting that the Festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhconcert State Concert Organization, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.
6. Presentation of an anniversary stamp and a coin, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's membership in the United Nations
Today at 7.00 pm., the United Nations Day will be celebrated at K. Kuanyshbayev Kazakh Drama Theater, jointly with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan (on October, 24). The play “Leyla's Prayer” with the participation of actors from the inclusive theater Kanattylar will be performed on the eve of the guests’ reception.
As part of the celebration, before the theatrical performance, the official presentation of an anniversary stamp and a coin, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's membership in the UN will take place on the stage of the Theater.
7. A visa-free regime for citizens of Kazakhstan to Iran
From November 11, 2022, in order to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran introduces a visa-free assess for citizens of Kazakhstan which will enable our citizens to stay in Iran for up to 14 days.
It should be noted that earlier, by the Decree of the Government of Kazakhstan No. 464 dated July 7, 2022, in order to create a favorable investment climate, enhance business contacts and further realize the country's tourism potential, our side introduced a visa-free assess for citizens of Iran, China and India, which will enable citizens of these countries to stay in the territory of Kazakhstan for up to 14 days, in total up to 42 calendar days during each period of 180 calendar days.
8. Opening of a new Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Turkey
On November 3, 2022, the grand opening of the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan took place in Denizli city, Turkey. Okan Oguz, a businessman and founder of a chain of textile stores in Kazakhstan, became the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan.
The opening of the Honorary Consulate will boost the extending of cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and scientific sectors. As part of the event, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan Erkebulan Sapiyev met with about 250 Kazakhstan students studying at higher educational institutions in Denizli and Afyon cities, and got acquainted with the progress of their studies and living conditions.