Friends of Kazakhstan gathered once again at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Vienna
Kazakhstan-Austrian relations, which turned 28 years old this year, are traditionally characterized by high dynamics of development in all areas of interaction, including politics, economics, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres.
A great merit in this regard belongs to the Circle of Friends of Kazakhstan in Austria, whose representatives carry out their activities in such bilateral forums as the Austrian-Central Asia parliamentary Friendship Group of the Austrian Parliament, the Austrian-Kazakh Society (OKG), the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Business Council, Institute of Honorary Consuls of Kazakhstan in Austria.
On January 23, Friends of Kazakhstan once again gathered at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Austria to participate in the ceremony of presenting the highest award of the Republic of Kazakhstan - the “Order of Dostyk” (Order of Friendship) to Ms. Christine Muttonen.
While serving as the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as well as a member of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Ch.Muttonen provided great support to the development of Kazakh-Austrian relations for many years. Since 2016 she has also been serving as the Vice-President of the OKG, which can rightly be called the "motor" of the Kazakh-Austrian cooperation.
Opening the ceremony, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay emphasized that the “Dostyk Order” was awarded to foreign nationals who had made a significant contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between states. Therefore, the Kazakh diplomat continued by saying “today I am especially pleased to fulfill the honorable mission to present on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev the high award of Kazakhstan - the “Order of Dostyk” to Ms. Christine Muttonen.”
The guests of the event were presented with a slideshow covering the participation of a group of representatives of European political and business circles in the “Silk Way Expedition Through The Great Steppe 2019” international project, which included Christine Muttonen and her husband Kari Pekka Muttonen, as well as Ms. Dorothea Haller-Label, the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. As part of the project, the group made a 16-day tour visiting the sacred landmarks of Central and Eastern Kazakhstan, familiarizing themselves with the history and culture of the Great Steppe. Visiting the homeland of the great Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayev located in Zhidebay, Ms. Ch.Muttonen cited in German language the poem by Abay titled “Summer”.
At the ceremony Mr. Richard Schenz, the President of the OKG, Vice-President of the Austrian Economic Chamber, highlighted that: “All of us present here are united by the desire to cooperate and strengthen relations between our countries.” In this regard, he emphasized the special role in the development of bilateral relations by the OKG and its Vice-President Ch.Muttonen, who repeatedly visited Kazakhstan to participate in important political, economic, cultural events and international forums.
In her own turn Ch.Muttonen expressed gratitude for the high award, and highlighted that she discovered Kazakhstan for herself not only as the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, but much earlier, during trips to our country, which allowed her to get acquainted with the rich history and culture of Kazakhstan. Moreover, she "always admired the openness and hospitality of the Kazakh people."
В рамках праздничного мероприятия состоялось вручение специальных сертификатов участникам экспедиции «Silk Way Expedition through the Great Steppe 2019».
As part of the festive event, special certificates were awarded to the participants of the “Silk Way Expedition through the Great Steppe 2019” expedition.
