Kazakhstan and Canada celebrate the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations
OTTAWA, April 7, 2022 - A Kazakhstan-Canadian online conference was held on April 7, 2022 as part of a series of events dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Canada during this period.
In his opening remarks Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada, H.E. Akylbek Kamaldinov highlighted that that since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 10, 1992, the two states have been developing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. Both countries have similar geography and climate, economic structure, rich natural resources and ethnically diverse populations.
Ambassador Kamaldinov stressed that Kazakhstan highly appreciates multifaceted cooperation with Canada, based on strong ties of friendship, common values and mutual support. Our countries successfully cooperate in such multilateral forums as the UN and OSCE, as well as in ensuring regional and international security, the rule of law and human rights.
In 2021 mutual trade turnover reached 496 million USD (+34.7%), which is the highest figure in the last 6 years. During the same period, the volume of Canadian FDI into Kazakhstan economy exceeded 385 million USD, which is 17 times more than in the whole of 2020 (22.7 million USD), and is the largest amount in the last 9 years. In total, since 2005, the gross volume of FDI from Canada to Kazakhstan has amounted to 5.2 billion USD.
Canadian Ambassador to Kazakhstan H.E. Alan Hamson noted that over the 30 years of Independence Kazakhstan has achieved impressive success in its economic development with the highest GDP among the countries of Central Asia (CA) and has become a reputable member of the international community. He stressed that since Independence, Kazakhstan's GDP has grown 16 times, and the poverty level has decreased 17 times. Our country became the first Central Asian state elected to the UN Security Council and was Chairman of the OSCE in 2010. Kazakhstan is a leader in the field of global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and by Kazakhstan’s initiative, August 29 was declared by the UN as the International Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Tests.
Kazakhstan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Rakhmetullin highly appreciated the political cooperation between Kazakhstan and Canada during 30 years of diplomatic relations, noting that in February 2020 President K.Tokayev held a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister J.Trudeau, during which the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of bilateral relations in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. The Kazakh diplomat noted that a consistent dialogue is developing between Kazakhstan and Canada on the issues of WMD non-proliferation, terrorism and peacekeeping. Kazakh-Canadian cooperation and multilateral engagement are successfully developing within the framework of international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, UN specialized agencies, WTO, etc.
Global Affairs Canada Acting Assistant Deputy Minister on Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb Mr. Jess Dutton warmly congratulated the Kazakh side on the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations’ establishment between Kazakhstan and Canada and noted that our countries have built cooperation on a wide range of issues, which is steadily developing.
He stressed that Canada welcomes the political transformation, democratic and institutional reforms currently being implemented in Kazakhstan and aimed at improving the welfare of citizens of Kazakhstan.
In his speech, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan M.Kul-Mukhammed noted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation, which is an important component of Kazakh-Canadian relations. Its development is facilitated by parliamentary friendship groups’ activities in two countries parliaments and parliamentary delegations’ exchange of visits. The Kazakh senator stressed that parliamentary diplomacy plays a special role in strengthening the trust-based dialogue between the two countries and parliamentary friendship groups in the parliaments of the two countries contribute to the promotion of political interaction.
Canadian Co-Chair of Kazakhstan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group Senator Victor Oh noted the relevance of comprehensive large-scale reforms in the political, economic and social spheres carried out by our country under Kazakhstan President K.Tokayev’s leadership. He stressed that over 30 years of diplomatic relations, Kazakhstan and Canada have built a reliable partnership based on common interests and aimed at ensuring international security and joint priorities.
Senior Fellow of Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and Former Ambassador of Canada to Kazakhstan Ms. Margaret Skok noted that over the years of its independence, Kazakhstan has implemented large-scale political and socio-economic reforms and made a significant contribution to economic and food security of Central Asia. She stressed that in a very short time Kazakhstan was able to carry out democratic reforms and make a qualitative transition to a market economy. In her opinion, our country is a member of authoritative international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, OIC and has established itself as a responsible member of the international community.
Kazakh Co-Chair of Kazakhstan Canada Business Council (KCBC), Chief Executive Officer of NAC Kazatomprom Mr. Mazhit Sharipov noted that for 30 years of cooperation, relations between our countries have demonstrated progressive dynamics of development. At the same time, the Business Council plays an important role in the development of trade and investment relations between our countries. M.Sharipov noted that Canada is an important partner for our country and the traditional areas of cooperation are mining, energy and agriculture. At the same time, he stressed the significant potential for cooperation in such areas as manufacturing, information technology, education, healthcare, infrastructure and tourism.
Canadian Co-Chair of KCBC, President and CEO of Cameco Corporation Mr. Tim Gitzel highlighted that over 30 years of diplomatic relations, our countries, as «middle powers», have established partnership cooperation based on common interests and priorities, and interact on issues such as investment, trade, civil service reform, immigration, economic reforms, education, technology exchange and know-how.
Canada, Eurasia, Russia Business Association (CERBA) Chairman Gilles Breton stressed that during independence years Kazakhstan has become the most prosperous and dynamically developing country in Central Asia, becoming a regional leader and a global player. He noted the importance of the 5th stage of large-scale political and socio-economic reforms carried out in the country under Kazakhstan President K.Tokayev’s leadership. He also noted that Canada is an important trade and economic partner of our country and one of the leaders in investment in Kazakhstan.
Former Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan Shawn Steil warmly congratulated our country on the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between Kazakhstan and Canada. He stressed the successful and fruitful bilateral cooperation in agriculture, nuclear energy, mining spheres and wished success to Kazakhstan in the future.
In general, the event demonstrated a significant interest of the political, economic and research circles of the host country in further strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Canada.