On May 27, Kazakhstan’s foreign minister Erlan Idrissov, defense minister Adilbek Zhaksybekov and Security Council Secretary Kairat Kozhamzharov took part in the meetings of the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) statutory bodies – Council of Foreign Ministers, Council of Defense Ministers and Security Council Secretaries Committee – in Bishkek. Participants discussed topical issues of the current and future activities of the Organization, including improving coordination of foreign policy, condition and structure of the system of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, issues of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism and cross-border organized crime, information security and border security, and others. As a result of the joint meetings, the participants have approved and adopted a package of the documents including a plan for consultations on foreign policy, security, defenses for the second half of 2013 and first half of 2014, documents on preparation and conduction of peace-keeping operations of the CSTO collective peacekeeping forces. The foreign ministers of the CSTO member states signed a joint statement on major international issues.
Director of the Institute Gustave Roussy Alexander Eggermont spoke about his of his participation in the Astana Economic Forum. “This is my sixth visit to Kazakhstan and I like this country very much. The people and atmosphere are very good here. I am impressed with the Kazakh people. I believe there are great potential for cooperation in the healthcare for Kazakhstan and France and for the Institute Gustave Roussy and the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology in Almaty in particular,” he said. Alexander Eggermont complimented professionalism of Kazakhstan cancer specialists, “We presented a special training programme for the doctors from Kazakhstan and I am pleased that the Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan was interested in it. It will allow training doctors and preparing your trainers,” he said. Besides, it is planned to hold international conferences in Kazakhstan with the participation of foreign experts, Kazakhstan doctors and specialists from the Institute Gustave Roussy.
An EU Project “Civil Service Reform and Modernization of the Government of Kazakhstan”, 21 May – 1 October 2013, includes holding of a creativity competition for the best coverage in mass media of the civil service of Kazakhstan. The competition goal is to find and reward the best authors of materials substantially contributing to civil service reforming in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The grand prize for two winners is getting insight into advanced European experience in the civil service field within a study visit jointly with the experts of the Academy of Public Administration and the Agency for Civil Service Affairs.
The customs authorities of Kazakhstan and China intend to develop a strategic plan of cooperation for the period of 2014-2018, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry reported following the visit of the delegation of the Customs Control Committee of Kazakhstan headed by Chairman Mazhit Yessenbaev to China. “The purpose of the new document lies in the creation of conditions for the development of legitimate trade. This issue was discussed at the meeting of the heads of both customs administrations, Mazhit Yessenbaev and Yu Guangzhou,” the report said. According to the report, the sides discussed issues related to improving the exchange of information on the total volume of export-import operations between Kazakhstan and China. In addition, an agreement was reached during the visit on the implementation of the project for the creation of a “green corridor” for agricultural products between the checkpoints of Bakhty (Kazakhstan) and Pokitu (PRC) starting in October 2013. This project will increase the scale of trade. It means the Chinese side takes responsibility for the quality of their products, according to the report. The parties also noted the successful start of operations of a new railway border crossing at Altynkol-Khorgos and expressed willingness to further improve its infrastructure.
