Whether a Common EAEU Currency?

The other day, a list of instructions given by Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting with members of his government was published on the Kremlin’s website. Among the...


Uzbek Community Leader: APK Facilitates Interethnic Accord Among Nations

Centuries ago Kazakh and Uzbek khanates belonged to the same dynasties. Both countries historically shared borders and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, was, at some point, a key city...


Kazakh Restaurateurs Trending with “Made In Kazakhstan” Foodstuffs

ASTANA – Kazakhstan restaurateurs have joined the farm-to-table movement, using “Made in Kazakhstan” foodstuffs in their menus. Those in the dining and hotel business have developed long-term relationships with...


Nazarbayev, Putin and Lukashenko Discuss Economic Union Cooperation, Ukraine in Astana

ASTANA – Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus met in Astana on March 20 to discuss prospects for closer cooperation within...


Kazakh Flags to be Carried to North Pole

ASTANA – The first Kazakhstan ski expedition to the North Pole will carry three flags – the national flag, the flag of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan...


Astana, Kostanai Rated Nation’s Top Urban Hospitals

A new report shows that Astana’s city hospital is the country’s highest rated multidisciplinary medical institution followed by Kostanai city hospital and Rudny city hospital. Tekeli hospital of the...


Russia to Give up 90 percent of Taisoigan Training Ground Lease

Ninety percent of the Taisoigan military training ground in Atyrau region will be withdrawn from Russian lease and returned to Kazakhstan, according to a March 3 report on Astana...


Nauryz Celebrations Represent Renewal, Love and Abundance

On March 22, countries all across Middle and Central Asia will celebrate Nauryz, the New Year, or the festival of spring and abundance. Historically, this holiday, that, in accordance...


Astana Opera Hires Prominent Ballerina, Well-Known Conductor as Creative Heads

ASTANA – In an effort to raise its profile at home and abroad, the Astana Opera Theatre management announced changes March 14 in its staff composition. The People’s Artist...


Astana Making “Excellent” Progress on EXPO 2017, BIE Chief Says

ASTANA – Secretary General of the International Expositions Bureau (BIE) Vicente Loscertales said Astana was making “excellent” progress in preparations for EXPO 2017 during a March 19 press conference...


Intergovernmental Agreement Seeks to Improve Diplomatic Staff Training

ASTANA – Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Regional Hub of Civil Service Alikhan Baimenov and Rector of the Academy of Public Administration Bolatbek...


Pension Reform Bill Likely to be Approved by Mazhilis

A bill to reform Kazakhstan’s pension system that takes into consideration the years a pensioner has worked is expected to be approved by year’s end, Deputy Minister of Health...


First Kazakhstan Formula 3 Racer Completes Testing in Malaysia

The first ever Formula 3 racecar from Kazakhstan and the first ever female Formula 3 racer from there, Lyubov Andreyeva, continue to impress the world of racing and represent...


UNESCO Director General Invited to Fifth Int’l Religious Congress in Astana

On March 13, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to France Nurlan Danenov, who also is serving as Kazakhstan’s permanent representative to UNESCO, handed an official invitation to the 5th Congress of Leaders...


Nur Otan Party Urges Country to Clarify Laws on Charity, Philanthropy

ASTANA – A 2014 ranking by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) placed Kazakhstan 101st of 135 countries on the World Giving Index. As a result, participants at a recent meeting...


ATTRAKCION Presents Broadway’s “Chicago” in Astana

ASTANA – Theatre lovers are swinging from the chandeliers as the amateur musical theatre Attrakcion showcases its interpretation of “Chicago,” Broadway’s satirical and sassy musical. Performances will run until...


Kussainov Certified as Candidate for April 26 Early Election

ASTANA –The Kazakhstan Central Electoral Commission (CEC) officially registered the self-nominated Abelgazy Kussainov as a candidate for the April 26 early presidential election on March 18. Kussainov collected 132,152 valid voter...


Concept of Organic Farming Planted, Growing Slowly in Kazakhstan

Draft law on organic farming awaits vote; private initiatives work to support organic development ASTANA – As Kazakhstan pushes to develop its agricultural sector with increased funding for farming...


Gasification in Kazakhstan Expected to Grow Significantly, Says Energy Official

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Ministerof Energy Vladimir Shkolnik recently said that there are 1,150 gasified localities in Kazakhstan and that by 2030, more than 1,600 will come online. Gas consumption...


Estonia Hopes to Increase Cooperation in Transit, Technology, Education

New NATO Contact Point Hopes to Share Alliance’s Values in Central Asia, Increase Bilateral Trade ASTANA – As NATO Contact Point in Kazakhstan, Ambassador of Estonia Jaan Reinhold hopes...


Turgun Syzdykov Officially Accredited as Presidential Candidate

ASTANA – The Central Electoral Commission of Kazakhstan (CEC) has officially registered Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan representative Turgun Syzdykov as a candidate for the April 26 early presidential...


Kazakh Journalists Win Int’l Sports Journalism Awards in Moscow

Vice President of the Association of Sports Press of Kazakhstan Mikhail Vasilyev won the award for the best foreign television story at the recent fourth Energy of Victories sports...


Canada, Kazakhstan Practice Diplomacy on Ice with Friendly Hockey Match

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Canada recently carried out a little diplomacy on ice when members of the Astana city administration and the Canadian embassy in Astana met on the...


Kazakhstan Imposes Temporary Ban on Some Russian Fuel Imports

An official ban on imports of Russian motor fuels, like light distillates and diesel fuel products, will be in force from March 5-April 20, the Kazakh Ministry of Energy...


Kazakh Research Institute Upgrades Eye Care at New Astana Branch

The Kazakh Research Institute announced recently that it has expanded its range of diagnostic and treatment services at its recently opened Astana branch and has purchased 400 million tenge...


Astana Symposium Examines Kazakhstan’s New Civil Service Model

  ASTANA – The Kazakh Agency on Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption with the support of the Regional Hub of Civil Service organised a March 13 symposium concerning the...


Six Presidential Hopefuls Pass Language Exam, Move to Collecting Signatures

ASTANA ­– Candidate nominations for the early Kazakh presidential election was completed March 15, reported the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC). The early election, initiated by the Council of the...


Combat Sports Confederation to Intensify Efforts for 2016 Olympics

Confederation of Combat Sports and Powerlifting Chairman Timur Kulibayev directed members of the confederation during a March 12 confederation meeting to intensify their preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games....


Parliament Develops Plan to Improve Cultural Sphere

The Kazakh Parliament is developing a new working concept on cultural policy, according to a recent announcement by Akhan Bizhanov, member of the Mazhilis Committee for Social and Cultural...


Int’l, Domestic Oil and Gas Experts Discuss Exploration in Kazakhstan at Astana Forum

ASTANA – The first international forum on oil and gas exploration titled, “Kazakhstan Geology Forum: Oil & Gas in Focus,” took place in Astana’s Rixos Hotel on March 12-13...


Almaty Makes Multiple Upgrades to City’s Public Transportation System

Almaty city public transport, ambulance and emergency, as well as engineering vehicles will get special traffic lanes by 2017, reported TV channel Almaty. According to the channel’s report, the...


Japan Spring Arts Festival Offers Astana, Almaty a Glimpse of Japanese Culture

ASTANA – The Degdar Humanitarian Fund supported by the Japanese embassy in Kazakhstan made a musical gift to Astana within the bounds of the Japan Spring International Arts Festival...


Historical Connections, Shared Challenges Bind Kazakhstan, Israel, Says Visiting Diplomat

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Israel are united by some common roots and common challenges, Deputy Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry Zvi Rav-Ner said during his March 10 –...


Culinary Arts in Kazakhstan Heating Up as Service Sector Grows

ASTANA – As Kazakhstan develops economically and socially, its culture of hospitality is slowly shifting from the domestic realm to the professional, and while cooking professionals say there is...


More than Two Dozen Candidates Have Sought a Chance in Early Presidential Election

ASTANA – Whether self-nominated or named by political parties or organisations, more than 20 candidates have thrown their hats into the Kazakh presidential election ring, according to statements released March...


Lack of Funds Causes Delay in Kazakh Oil Refineries Modernisation

ASTANA – KazMunayGas recently announced that the modernisation of its oil refineries will be prolonged due to lack of funds. In spite of the ban on Russian fuel, fuel...


Medical, Social Innovations Improve Quality of Life in Mukur Village

“Before, we could only dream of such luxuries. We thought that these kind of centres were privileges only enjoyed by city dwellers, but now we have a centre right...


Kazakh Armed Forces Hold Training Alert

ASTANA – As a way of reinforcing coordination among services, military unit No. 50185 in Karaganda, the air assault brigade in the Almaty region and aircraft pilots from military...


Incumbent President Nazarbayev Accepts Party Nomination, Presents Policy Priorities

ASTANA – Incumbent Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on March 11 accepted the Nur Otan party’s nomination to be the party’s candidate in the April 26 early presidential election and...


Nur Otan Party Nominates Nazarbayev for Presidential Election

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ruling Nur Otan party nominated President Nursultan Nazarbayev as its candidate for the early presidential election at the party’s congress in Astana on March 11. The incumbent...


Classic Rock Rocks Kazakh Fans

ASTANA – Although Kazakh rock groups aren’t extremely successful in the country and virtually unknown abroad, American and Russian rock music is popular in some regions of the nation....


Estonia Considering Shipping Goods Between Europe and China via Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Estonia is the latest country to publicly mull using Kazakhstan’s transit infrastructure to ship goods between China and Europe. “We’re considering the shipment of merchandise between Europe...


Afghanistan Should Not Be Left Alone

Conflict and suffering has again sadly being dominating international headlines. The Middle East is engulfed in a struggle for decency against the so-called Islamic State. The rise of this...


Ambassadors Club in Astana Opens New Season

ASTANA – After a long hiatus, a club meant to bring together on a regular basis international chiefs of missions is reviving its activities in the newly opened Marriott...


Air Astana Introduces Self Check-In Terminals in Kazakh Airports

ASTANA – Check-In for Air Astana passengers just got a little easier. Kazakhstan’s flagship air carrier Air Astana recently introduced Kazakhstan’s first passenger self check-in kiosks for its flights....


Belarus, Kazakhstan Work Together in Volatile Economic Times

ASTANA – In his interview with The Astana Times, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Kazakhstan Anatoly Nichkassov underlined the importance of growing economic relations between Belarus and...


Trumpeter’s Journey Takes him From Wales to Astana Opera

ASTANA – Astana has been home to a globetrotting musician for the past two years, and Astana Opera for one. Originally from northwest Wales, Ross Clarke came to the...


EXPO 2017 Promoted in Germany, Norway and Netherlands

ASTANA – From March 4 to 9, a Kazakh delegation headed by EXPO 2017 Commissioner and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rapil Zhoshybayev visited Germany to participate in...


We Are All the APK, Jewish Cultural Centre Founder Says

Alexander Baron was behind the creation of the ethnic cultural centres in Kazakhstan, so he can rightfully say that the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) is a...


Kazakh Senate Chairman Visits New York, Invites UN Secretary-General to Astana Int’l Religious Congress

ASTANA – Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev completed his official visit to New York March 4, which was devoted to the upcoming Fifth Congress of Leaders of World and...