Official Statements:

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev had a working meeting with the members of the Government and Presidential Administration in Akorda residence.

Situation in economy, development prospects of the individual industries were considered there. The issues on realization of state programs, development of social sphere, public service improvement, and economic planning system were also discussed at the meeting.

“29 state programs were adopted in Kazakhstan. Beginning from the next month, I am going to hear the realization progress of seven state programs”, the Kazakh leader said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev became acquainted with the flood situation on Syrdaria. Emergency Minister of Kazakhstan Vladimir Bozhko reported to the Kazakh President on the flood situation in the South Kazakhstan oblast and reorganization progress in the Emergency Ministry of Kazakhstan.

Vladimir Bozhko told about the liquidation of the under flooding consequences of a number of districts of the South Kazakhstan region. Head of the State charged to adopt all necessary measures in order to avoid possible victims of flood disaster.

As is known it was the harshest winter in decades in Central Asia. Heavy rains and snow melting have displaced more than 13,000 people. In connection with this situation the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has provided an emergency grant of $40,000 to the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan for nearly 2000 hygiene kits.

At the same time, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has made $50,000 available for water purification tablets, water reservoirs, filters, disinfectants and other sanitation needs.

The overall flooding situation remains a matter of concern for the immediate future, according to an OCHA report, since there is a possibility of further flooding along the SyrDarya river basin. That occurrence could affect over 250,000 people living in the Southern Kazakhstan and Kzylorda provinces.

On the invitation of Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said at the end of this week the Kazakh President left for the Sultanate of Oman with an official visit.

The sides intend to discuss issues on creation of the Kazakhstani-Omani Intergovernmental Commission, the Kazakhstani-Omani Business Council and attraction of the Omani investments into the joint projects in Kazakhstan. A lot of attention will be paid to the prospects of trade-economic cooperation and the development of industrial-innovation sphere.

Special attention will be given to the investigation of the Omani experience in diversification of economy. The Sultanate of Oman is one of the participants of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) and develops Dungan deposit in West Kazakhstan.

In the framework of the visit, the Kazakh leader will pay a visit to a number of objects in Masqat. For example: the National University named after Sultan Qaboos and technological park.

Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev received Deputy Prime Minister – Finance Minister of Russia Alexei Kudrin.

Issues on development of Kazakhstan-Russian relations in finance, accession to the WTO, as well as the activity of the Eurasian Development Bank (EADB) were discussed at the meeting.

In January this year Russia has completed the transfer of its part of the charter capital of the EADB – one billion USD. As well as Kazakhstan is being completed the transfer of his part of the charter capital. Totally the charter capital of the Eurasian Bank will amount to 1.5 billion USD, A.Kudrin said at a press-briefing.

A. Kudrin emphasized the high level of management of the EADB capital and projects. It will make possible for the bank to get an international investment rating which is higher than sovereign ratings both of Russia and Kazakhstan. Now our goal is to increase the number of participants of the EADB. We received bids from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belorussia to become a bank’s shareholder. In the nearest future the EADB will become a leading investment bank on the territory of the EurAsEC and the CIS as a whole. It will be a new regional development institute of the international level, A.Kudrin noted.

Issues on cooperation of development institutions of Kazakhstan and Russia in realization of projects in transport infrastructure that joins and provides integration of both countries were also discussed in the course of the meeting.

Background: Documents on establishing the EADB were signed in the presence of the heads of both countries in January 2006. The establishing documents provide charter capital amounting to 1.5 billion USD (the share of Russia is 1 billion USD). The Bank is an international financial organization that aims to further develop market economy of the countries-bank members, their economy growth, expand of trade and economic relations between them by implementation of investment activity.

A regular 19th session of the State Commission for Kazakhstan's economic modernization was held in the Ukimet Uyi under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov. The State Commission members discussed a variety of measures on provision of Kazakhstan’s north regions with horticultural products.

“Ontustik” socio-entrepreneurial corporation has created the service-storage centers in order to satiate the domestic markets with fruit and vegetable products. These centers will be located in Kyzylorda, South Kazakhstan and Zhambyl oblasts.

A memorandum in this sphere was signed between “Ontustik” and “Saryarka” socio-entrepreneurial corporations. In accordance with the memorandum, “Saryarka” socio-entrepreneurial corporation will provide effective realization of the horticultural products, delivered by “Ontustik” socio-entrepreneurial corporation in northern regions of Kazakhstan.

“Saryarka” socio-entrepreneurial corporation worked out an integrated program that foresees a complete cycle of the production, storage and realization of the horticultural products. This issue will be on the agenda of the oncoming telephone conference with participation of oblasts’ akims and leadership of the socio-entrepreneurial corporations.

At the same regular governmental session Justice, Finance and Economy Ministries introduced the 2008-2010 Strategic Development Plans.

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan approved these Strategic Plans of Development for the years of 2008-2010.

Astana and Washington draft a joint action plan in the realm of energy

March 11-12 Washington hosted 5th sitting of the Joint Kazakh-US Committee for Energy Cooperation which was attended by a Kazakh delegation of energy sector officials headed by Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Sauat Mynbayev.

Prior to the sitting of the Committee, S. Mynbayev had a meeting with Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman; the sides pointed to the large scale and effectiveness of the bilateral energy cooperation, stressing the growing mutual interest to further expansion of interaction and lauding the activeness of US business at the Kazakh market. The two ministers agreed that it is important to further strengthen Kazakh-US energy dialogue.

At the sitting of the Committee, the sides dwelt on the current situation and prospects of cooperation in O&G, electric power industry, environment protection, and use of alternative sources of energy and commercial nuclear technologies, as well as safety of energy facilities. The sitting resulted in a protocol which defines major vectors of interaction between Kazakhstan and the USA in the energy realm for the nearest year.

As S. Mynbayev noted in the course of the sitting, the dialogue maintained since 2001 within the joint Committee is a unique opportunity to discuss both current issues and future prospects of cooperation between the two nations along all the vectors of energy cooperation. Energy Partnership Declaration signed in the course of the Kazakh President’s visit to the USA defines energy cooperation as a key element of strategic relations between the two nations.

Besides, in the course of the visit S. Mynbayev met Steven Mann, the Eurasian energy diplomacy coordinator at the US State Department. The sides pointed to the strengthening part played by Kazakhstan as an important player in the global energy market. S. Mann stressed the achievements in the energy realm where as he believes Kazakhstan is less relying on outside expertise and is pursuing a mature policy.

Kazakh-US partnership and further efforts to strengthen it were major issues discussed at a meeting of the Kazakh delegation with US Congressmen. In the course of the meeting, creation of the Friends of Kazakhstan Caucus within the US Congress was announced. The group is co-chaired by representatives of both Democratic and Republican parties, namely by Representative Shelly Berkley (D - NV) and Representative Robert Aderholt (R - AL). This fully reflects the spirit of the open and friendly cooperation of Kazakhstan with the two leading US parties.

The Kazakh Energy Minister’s visit was of interest to US business community, notably energy companies. The round-table discussion facilitated by the US-Kazakh Business Association was attended by representatives of such majors as Chevron, ConocoPhilips, General Electric, Baker Hughes, Halliburton and some others. The Kazakh Minister detailedly informed them on key vectors of Kazakhstan’s energy policy, outlining major priorities in the sector development and briefing on the measures taken to enhance investment climate in Kazakhstan in pursuance of instructions voiced by President Nazarbayev in his annual address to the nation. In their turn, US businessmen pointed to the attractiveness of the Kazakh market and expressed their intention to further expand their operations in Kazakhstan.

According to S. Mynbayev, the Kazakh delegation’s visit enabled to “synchronize the clocks” in energy realm and was another testament to diversity of relations between the two nations based on friendly ties and mutual interests.

“Nauryz”

Nauryz (Nauryz Meyrami) - non-religious Kazakh folk celebration of the vernal (spring) equinox and of the symbolic renewal of nature.

In Kazakhstan Nauriz is certain to have been celebrated in pre-Islamic times and later.

During the course of history Nauryz became a symbolic Kazakh New Year in Kazakhstan, official calendar being kept as everywhere in the world. Nowadays it is one of the most favourite holidays in Kazakhstan. Kazakhs also often refer to Nauryz as “Ulystin uly kuni” which means “the great day of the nation”. Nauryz remains also a strong tradition in the countries of Central Asia as well as in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.

At its core, the Nauryz festival celebrates the awakening of Nature. This awakening symbolizes the triumph of good, the spring, winning against the evil forces of darkness that are represented by the Winter. Nauryz is the point when the oppressive presence of the cold Winter finally begins to retrieve with the commencement of the lively and hopeful Spring. This symbolic and poetic change corresponds to the mathematical instance of the sun leaving the zodiac of Pisces and entering the zodiacal sign of Aries, also known as the Spring Equinox.

Nauriz has many unique features. In the past Nauryz used to last from three to nine days. Various kinds of competitions were included in the festival program, such as horse races and hand-to-hand combats between stalwart fellows. The “Aytis” (a contest of two or more improvising folk poet-musicians) is a joyful competition of wit and poetic skill. And of course there were many songs, dances and games. One of the bright traditions that we meet in Abai’s manuscript is the “Nauryz-bata” or Nauryz blessing. To receive a blessing on this day from the lips of aqsaqals (elderly) and aje (women of old age) is considered a big honour and sign of kindness.

During the Nauryz holiday it is customary to share generously one’s dastarkhan (table). A special dish – Nauryz közhe (yogurt soup) – is prepared for the festival table. In each yurt (nomadic tent house) everyone would have their own recipe. The only rule for making it was the number of ingredients: seven. The guests are served the best meat dishes qazy, qarta, shujiq (lamb and horse meat delicacies), etc.

Since Nauryz’s central theme is renewal and joy hence is the tradition on the eve of Nauryz to thoroughly clean you house, return all your debts, forgive all offences and resentments and to make peace with all with whom you were at odds. It is believed that Nauryz night brings luck and realization of wishes. Therefore one has to greet it with clear soul and mind and to fill all the vessels at home with milk, grain or spring water so that prosperity never leaves one’s household. But Nauryz is not only about festivities and dastarkhan. During the month you have to help the land to clear its life-giving arteries – to clean natural and artificial water channels and chutes, water wells and springs sprinkling them with hallowed milk thus wishing fertility to Mother – land; cultivation, planting and other agricultural work are to be started.

Nauryz celebrations start on 21 March and last for one month. Many sports and cultural events are held during this month throughout the country. It became a loved holiday of each citizen of Kazakhstan, symbol of unity and peace.

Kazakhstan is a multiethnic community. With a population of 16 million people Kazakhstan is home for more than 130 ethnic groups, representing over forty religious confessions and denominations, live peacefully in Kazakhstan and enrich each other's cultures.

“International Day of Water Resources”

The Republic of Kazakhstan is relatively poor in water resources in comparison with the republics of the European and Siberian parts of the CIS, but it is wealthier than the Central Asian states. The fresh water deficit is the most significant environmental problem making difficult sustainable development of members of world community, including Kazakhstan.

The Aral problem is of global character and attracts the attention of world community. At a meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana in 2002 with Mr. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, President Nazarbayev proposed to give to the International Fund on Salvation of the Aral (IFSA) the status of the UN Institution.

Experts think that it is impossible to restore the Аral Sea, but a hope still exists for the stabilization of the ecological situation there. The last efforts of the Government of Kazakhstan on restoration of northern part of Aral Sea approve this statement. The heads of the states-founders of the IFSA approved the Basic Directions of the Program of Actions on Improvement of Ecological, Social and Economic Conditions in the Aral Sea Basin for the period of 2003-2010 with a view to tackle the problem.

Another serious environmental challenge is the pollution and possible technogenic disasters in the area of the Caspian Sea.  Geological reserves allow to increase the oil producing capacity in Kazakhstan up to 150 million tonnes per year and more, but at the same time the possible impact on the environment has not been so far assessed as well as the maximum permissible level of oil output in the Caspian shelf without damaging the marine ecosystem. Kazakhstan deals with these issues within the framework of the State Programme for Kazakh Caspian Sea off-shore development.

Similar situation is with water supply and distribution units. Thus the most polluted are the basic waterways of Kazakhstan - the basins of rivers Irtysh, Ili, Nura, Syr-Darya are being polluted by the mining, metallurgical and chemical industries. At the present moment, Kazakhstan has a unique experience of co-operation with Japan on protection of ware resources, and we suppose that partnership will be continued.

Our country depends by more than 50% on water supplies coming from the neighbouring countries and is vulnerable to global climate change. According to scientific forecasts during the next 15-20 years present pastures and arable lands can fall into the category of desert and semi-desert lands and our water-security can be reduced by third.

Now Kazakhstan is boosting its ecological policy. In the field of the environment protection new conceptual and program documents are being developed.

The ecologization the legislation, economy and whole society is becoming the basic priority direction of environment protection measures. That is the introduction of strict ecological requirements in all legal acts, all sectors of the economy and people’s minds as well.

 The obligatory environment impact evaluation is already being introduced at the time of drafting any programme aimed at the development of the industry and agriculture as well as schemes on allocation industrial capacities, construction of urban areas and other large-scale programs.

Kazakhstan will reform economic tools of environment protection, increasing the size of ecologic payments to the levels of actual inflicted damage, and all the accumulated funds will be forwarded to the restoration of the environment.

Beginning from 2003 Kazakhstan is going to introduce obligatory ecological insurance and ecological audit of environmentally harmful types of activities. The relevant laws are being developed.

Kazakhstan will strengthen regional cooperation in the Central Asia. These countries have a common ecosystem, and are united by the interdependence on water resources, tragedy of the Aral Sea and other issues.

Kazakhstan has ratified 19 international conventions, including those of a climate change, destruction of ozone layer, desertification and preservation of a biodiversity, 4 transnational conventions of the European Commission and Aarhus Convention on ensuring the access of the population to the information on ecology, decision making and law maintenance in the field of environment protection.

Kazakhstan actively cooperates with around 300 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the issues of environment protection and involves them in realization of the state programs and assists in setting aside the state grants for projects having significance for the society.

Kazakhstan is interested in further active dialogue, both with the neighbouring states and all countries concerned with the protection of our common home – the Earth.