Rome, 21 August 2022 - Today the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Italian Republic mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Relations between the two countries have reached an unprecedented level over these years, including an open and fruitful dialogue, growing bilateral trade, broadening of the legal framework and strengthening of multilateral cooperation. Signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in 2009 was a landmark event for Kazakh-Italian relationship.
Today large-scale political reforms are taking place in Kazakhstan. The President of Kazakhstan proposed a programme of reforms focused on modernising the political system, improving mechanisms for the protection of human rights and building a “New Kazakhstan”. In this context, dynamic relations with the Italian Republic make a substantial contribution to the implementation and promotion of reforms in Kazakhstan.
The Italian Republic is one of the largest trade and investment partners of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is an important partner of Italy in Central Asia. Italy has invested more than $15 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy over the last 30 years.
Following the first half of 2022, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Italy reached $8 billion. The key areas of trade and economic cooperation are energy, exploration and extraction of natural resources, construction, infrastructure, transport, communications, agriculture, science and technology. More than 250 Italian companies successfully operate in Kazakhstan.
An Intergovernmental Task Force for Industrial and Economic Cooperation and Exchange, as well as the Kazakhstan-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group were established to develop bilateral contacts.
Given similar views on key issues of the international agenda, the two countries have established trustworthy relations within the framework of international organisations. Kazakhstan and Italy stand for strengthening the engagement between the two countries on the world stage based on the principle of mutual respect.
Inter-regional cooperation is developing dynamically. Since June of this year, a permanent air route between Milan and Almaty has been launched by the Italian airline company Neos.
In the cultural and humanitarian dimension, cooperation in education, library service and research is expanding. As part of the 175th anniversary of Abai Kunanbayuly, the “Book of words” and poems of the great philosopher have been translated into Italian language. The centres of Kazakh culture and literature are operating at the Ambrosiana Library in Milan and at the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice.
Kazakhstan and Italy have close political, economic and also historic ties, rooted in the past of the Great Silk Road and travels across the vast expanses of the Great Steppe by the famous Venetian merchant Marco Polo.
Kazakhstan is determined to continue conducting a foreign policy with the aim of comprehensive strengthening and development of strategic partnership with Italy.
Nur-Sultan, April 2, 2022 - The International Commission against the Death Penalty (ICDP) welcomes Kazakhstan's ratification on 24 March 2022, of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the death penalty.
In a statement, ICDP President Navi Pillay noted that Kazakhstan's ratification of the Second Optional Protocol "is an international reaffirmation of its commitment to the total abolition of the death penalty and follows the country’s abolition of the death penalty for all crimes and without any caveats on December 29, 2021. Thus, Kazakhstan has made an important step which moves the Central Asian region closer towards becoming a death penalty-free region. This important decision is special as the country is an important member state of the ICDP’s Support Group. Thanks to this historic decision of Kazakhstan, worldwide abolition of the death penalty is closer today than ever before."
At the same time, the Commission positively noted the proposal of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, voiced in his recent State-of-the Nation Address to the People of Kazakhstan "New Kazakhstan: the Path of Renewal and Modernization", on making appropriate amendments to the abolition of the death penalty in the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It was emphasized that "such a constitutional amendment will further consolidate Kazakhstan’s abolition of capital punishment and end this cruel inhuman punishment that has no place in the world today."
Kazakhstan is one of the founders of the Support Group of the ICDP. The Commission's work is supported by a geographically diverse group of 23 member states committed to the abolition of the death penalty. Its Secretariat is based in Madrid and is responsible for the day-to-day work of the Commission.
On March 2, 1992, the Republic of Kazakhstan was accepted as a member of the United Nations at the plenary meeting of the 46th session of the UN General Assembly, thereby becoming a full-fledged actor of international relations.
As a responsible and reliable member of the international community, Kazakhstan has been pursuing a balanced, predictable and constructive foreign policy for all the 30 years of its independence. The country is fully committed to supporting the central role of UN in solving pressing global issues.
By voluntarily abandoning the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal, Kazakhstan has made a real contribution to maintaining peace and international security, disarmament and strengthening the nonproliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction. The date of closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site on the territory of Kazakhstan - August 29 - was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, in December 2009, as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
Kazakhstan is a co-founder of the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Central Asia. At the initiative of Kazakhstan, the UN General Assembly resolution “The Universal Declaration on Achieving a World Free of Nuclear Weapons” is adopted on a regular basis. The Declaration demonstrates the determination of all states to move step by step towards a nuclear weapons-free world.
In September 1992, from the rostrum of the UN, Kazakhstan put forward a proposal to convene the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which today has become a real factor in ensuring security and cooperation, uniting 27 countries of the Asian continent. Given the growing demand for confidence building measures, Kazakhstan is working with partners to transform CICA into the Organization for Security and Development in Asia.
Kazakhstan has ratified all 19 universal counter-terrorism conventions and protocols and takes an active part in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. At the initiative of Kazakhstan, in September 2018, a Code of Conduct was developed and presented for signing to achieve a world free of terrorism. As of today 89 countries have joined to the Code.
Since 2017, Kazakhstan has hosted 17 rounds of the Astana Process on Syria aimed at facilitating UN efforts to resolve the protracted conflict. Kazakhstan was also one of the first to repatriate its citizens, primarily hundreds of children and women, from conflict zones in the Middle East.
Kazakhstan is making a feasible contribution to the efforts of the world community to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Humanitarian assistance is regularly provided to the Afghan population, national and international programs are being implemented to train Afghan youth, including girls, in educational institutions of Kazakhstan. The opening of a Temporary Remote Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Almaty is recognition of the role of Kazakhstan and the Organization's trust in our country.
Kazakhstan is convinced that promoting an ideology of tolerance, mutual understanding and cultural diversity is the key to combating hatred and discrimination. Hosted in Kazakhstan since 2003, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which was attended by the United Nations Secretary-General, the heads of the Alliance of Civilizations and UNESCO, is an example of interfaith dialogue. The VII Congress will be held in September 2022 in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan actively participates in UN peacekeeping activities by sending peacekeepers and military observers to various UN missions and provides peacekeeping courses recognized by the UN.
The election of our country to the UN Security Council in 2017-2018 was a recognition of the committed work of Kazakhstan in the field of strengthening peace and international security.
In order to strengthen the system of control over biological risks and threats, and to promote biological developments to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, put forward an initiative to create an International Agency for Biological Safety.
The Republic of Kazakhstan contributes to international efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In keeping with this objective, a national architecture for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been created.
Despite its high dependence on fossil fuels, Kazakhstan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
In order to assist the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan in promoting the SDGs, the KazAID Official Development Assistance Agency was established in 2020. To coordinate development activities in the Central Asian region, we propose to institutionalize the UN Regional Center for SDGs in Almaty.
Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to the observance of universal human rights and freedoms. Our country has acceded to all the fundamental documents and conventions of the United Nations in the field of human rights protection. Ongoing efforts are being made to bring national human rights legislation in line with international standards. Close cooperation with the relevant UN institutions ensures that our international obligations are in accordance with the highest norms. The election of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Human Rights Council, for the term 2022-2024, confirms the commitment of our state to promote fundamental human rights and freedoms at the national and international levels.
Presently, the efforts of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and our people are aimed at building an economically stable, socially just and democratically developed state – a new Kazakhstan, based on the principle of “leaving no one behind”.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its membership in the United Nations, the Republic of Kazakhstan reiterates its firm commitment to the Charter of the Organization and the principles of international law. The UN remains indispensable as the only universal organization serving the interests and urgent needs of all of humankind.
Kazakhstan will continue to contribute to strengthening the role and authority of the UN and to all areas of its activity to implement our collective desire for a better and happy future.
Nur-Sultan, February 7, 2022 - Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi met with the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Terhi Hakala.
During the talks, parties discussed a wide range of issues on further intensification of the multifaceted strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union. The interlocutors noted that the dialogue platform «Central Asia – EU» and bilateral cooperation mechanisms are of practical benefit in bringing to our region the best European experience in the field of sustainable economic development, strengthening border security, combating terrorism and violent extremism.
The participants of the meeting noted a common interest in conducting an objective investigation by Kazakh law enforcement agencies of all the circumstances of the events that took place in January in Kazakhstan and a thorough examination of complaints about violations of the rights of detainees.
Dear Compatriots,
Friends and Partners,
Kazakhstan has experienced unprecedented violence across the country, which has had a dramatic impact on our people and threaten to undermine the constitutional order and considered as an assault on our statehood.
On January 2, 2022, peaceful demonstrations have been started in western regions of Kazakhstan triggered by spike in the price of liquefied petroleum gas.
Addressing public grievance over the inflation and overall social and economic problems, the President has made the decision to control petroleum price and essential products and services.
In his January 4 statement, the President urged not to succumb to internal and external provocations amid rallies against increased gas prices. He called for mutual trust and dialogue rather than conflict.
Regretfully, peaceful demonstrations in Almaty and some other regions were hijacked by perpetrators and both local and foreign terrorist groups.
Their criminal activities caused riots, looting, rape and mass violence.
In view of the sharp aggravation of the situation, President Tokayev has assumed the office of the Chair of the National Security Council with immediate effect. He also declared the state of emergency across the country.
Despite all these efforts the protest led to further escalation of violence all over the country, triggering riots and attacks against administrative buildings, military bases, and civil facilities, seizure of the Almaty airport, local and foreign airplanes.
This shows the high level of preparedness and coordination of the perpetrators.
No protest or demonstration in a democratic society can justify the attacks and killings of law enforcement officers.
According to the latest data, 18 law enforcement officers were killed by extremists and terrorists. More than 700 police officers, military personnel, and 1,000 civilians were injured and hospitalized.
Those, who name the extremists to be part of peaceful protestors, may they know that two of young soldiers were beheaded staying on their knees.
They also attacked first responders, including medical emergency teams and firefighters.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the parents and families of those who were killed in deterring this hyenas attack.
Peacekeeping troops comprising of multinational forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states were deployed and will remain for a short period of time until the stabilization of the situation in Kazakhstan.
The legal framework for deployment of collective peacekeeping forces is based on Articles 2 and 4 of the «Treaty on Collective Security», the «Agreement on Peacekeeping Activities», and military assistance requested by Kazakhstan.
The peacekeeping troops are not involved in the elimination of militant groups and terrorists. Their main tasks are protection of strategic sites and administrative buildings.
***
The story that run this week in foreign media, leaves the readers with falls impressions that Kazakhstan government has been targeting peaceful protestors. Our security forces have been engaging violent mobs who were committing brazen acts of terror.
Given the volume of misinformation and the rapidly evolving situation in Kazakhstan, let us not to jump into conclusions and allow a full investigation to reveal the truth on the ground.
The Republic of Kazakhstan has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the rule of law. All actions taken or supported are and will be in accordance with our Constitution, our laws, and our international commitments.
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Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev met with Pope Francis during his working visit to the Vatican.
Maulen Ashimbayev, on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, presented the Pontiff with an invitation to take part in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
During the talks, the Senate Speaker told about the initiatives of Kazakhstan in the field of interfaith harmony and the promotion of global interreligious dialogue, which also closely correlate with the activities of the Vatican.
“Interethnic peace and reconciliation, mutual respect for the religious views of all citizens are an integral part of the Kazakh culture and mentality. We do everything necessary to preserve and promote this culture of tolerance. This is why our First President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the convocation of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2003. A considerable contribution to the promotion of this platform was made by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as the head of the Secretariat of the Congress,” Maulen Ashimbayev noted.
He extended his gratitude to the Vatican for its support of this initiative of our country.
“Over 18 years, the Kazakhstan inter-religious forum has evolved into a broadly representative platform for dialogue. Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Holy See for its support of Kazakhstan’s initiative. Senior representatives of the Catholic Church took an active part in all six Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions,” the Speaker of the Senate underlined.
At the coming Congress, it is planned to discuss the role of leaders of the world and traditional religions in the social and spiritual development of humanity in the post-pandemic period. The parties expressed confidence that religious figures could significantly contribute to the combat against the pandemic and its socio-economic and humanitarian costs.
“Religious leaders can greatly contribute to both understanding the lessons of the pandemic and addressing its consequences. The pandemic has aggravated many of the chronic problems of humanity, such as poverty, inequality, the deplorable state of health care in most countries, the poor level of education of people, environmental and other problems. It is also obvious that in the post-pandemic period, consumer priorities should be reconsidered and spiritual and moral values should come to the fore,” Maulen Ashimbayev said.
Pope Francis thanked President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the invitation to Kazakhstan to the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions scheduled for September next year. The Pontiff underlined the importance of this initiative of First President - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, having noted the meaningful role of Kazakhstan in the promotion of global inter-religious dialogue.
The interlocutors also spoke about major issues on the international agenda, notably the situation in Afghanistan, global climate change, and others.
Later that day, Maulen Ashimbayev met with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, where the parties discussed cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Vatican.
Also, there was a meeting with President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot.
Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev met with President of the Senate of the Parliament of Italy Maria Elisabetta Alberti Caselatti as part of his working visit to the Republic of Italy.
The parties talked about inter-parliamentary cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy. The Speakers of the Houses of Parliament stressed the importance of the active work of the deputies on promoting the consolidation of cooperation between the two countries in economy, trade, tourism, culture, and other areas.
Maulen Ashimbayev focused on the legislative work of senators, which is aimed at improving the business climate in our country. He proposed to expand trade and economic ties between the two countries through interregional cooperation and involving senators in this work.
“The capacity of trade and economic relations of Kazakhstan can be expanded through inter-regional cooperation. Because of the nature of the regional representation of the deputy staff in the Senates of Kazakhstan and Italy, we think it is possible to utilize the knowledge and experience of parliamentarians in establishing ties between the regions of the two countries. Specifically, presentations and other events of the regions during the visits of parliamentary delegations might cause interest,” the Speaker of the Senate said.
During the talk, the parties touched upon the development of the green economy and the exchange of legislative experience in this area.
“Development of the green economy is one of the priorities for Kazakhstan, identified by the Head of State. There is also a great potential for joint work in this matter. We hope for cooperation with our Italian partners in the introduction of energy-efficient, eco-friendly technologies. The Senates of the Parliaments of Kazakhstan and Italy could share experience in improving the legal framework for environmental protection and the introduction of “green” technologies,” Maulen Ashimbayev noted.
In turn, the President of the Senate of Italy underscored the high level of inter-parliamentary cooperation between our countries. In the words of Maria Elisabetta Alberti Caselatti, in the forthcoming period, it is important to actively involve parliamentarians in addressing the issues of the bilateral agenda of Kazakhstan and Italy.
The interlocutors came to a consensus that maintaining a regular dialogue between the Senates of Kazakhstan and Italy is instrumental in strengthening the bilateral interaction. In this context, Maulen Ashimbayev suggested considering the creation of a permanent mechanism of consultations between the Houses of the two countries.
Furthermore, Maulen Ashimbayev had a meeting with deputies-representatives of the Kazakhstan-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Almaty, October 26, 2021 - Based on Kazakhstan’s commitment to its international humanitarian obligations, the Head of State has decided to provide a transit corridor for Afghan female judges and members of parliament and their families.
The transit was carried out in cooperation with international non-governmental organizations through the airport of Almaty for further flight to third countries.
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/274903?lang=ru
October 19, 2021 Bologna - By the invitation of the National Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers of Italy, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Italian Republic, Yerbolat Sembayev participated in the opening ceremony of the international exhibition of agricultural machinery EIMA International 2021.
EIMA International is the International Exposition of Machinery for Agriculture and Gardening, a biennial event created in 1969 by the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation. The fair hosts about 1950 companies from 50 countries exhibiting more than 50,000 models of machinery and equipment for all types of agricultural operations or green work for every model of enterprise.
During his visit to EIMA International 2021, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Y.Sembayev has met with the President of the National Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers of Italy, Alessandro Malavolti, where the parties agreed to organize a visit of the first pool of Italian agricultural machinery manufacturers to Kazakhstan and the possibility of organizing similar exhibitions for the Central Asian region in Kazakhstan.
Furthermore, the Ambassador Y.Sembayev has held bilateral meetings with the heads of the world famous Italian companies LUCCHINI and Irritec, which produce «smar» irrigation systems, equipment and components for different types of greenhouses. As a result of the meetings, Italian companies have expressed their enormous interest in organizing their production in Kazakhstan.
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New York, October 14, 2021 – At the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Republic of Kazakhstan was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2022–2024.
The priority areas of Kazakhstan’s work in the Council will include the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, the universal abolition of the death penalty, and fight against all forms of intolerance, and promoting freedom of religion and belief. It will also work towards upholding and assuring inclusive and universal education, as well as respect for human rights in the context of the COVID–19 pandemic.
The election of our country to the main human rights body of the World Organization is a recognition of the role that Kazakhstan plays as an active and responsible Member State in the process of promoting international norms and standards in the field of human rights and protection of universal freedoms.
Together with Kazakhstan, the other countries that also jointed the UN HRC are the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, Lithuania, Montenegro, Argentina, Honduras, Paraguay, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Gambia, Somalia, India, Malaysia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier too, our country was elected to the Council for the term 2013–2015.
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body of the UN system, which includes 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. The competence of the UN HRC includes deliberations on all thematic issues and situations in the field of human rights that require attention and need to be addressed. The members of the Council are elected from the five regional groups of the UN and serve for three years. Meetings of the Council are held at the UN Office in Geneva.