Articles by Ainur Imangali

Ambassador Rosenblum on Kazakh-American Relations: U.S. to Remain Reliable Partner 

ASTANA – Last year, bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and the United States surpassed $3 billion. This dynamic has been the most positive in years, according to Daniel Rosenblum, the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan. In an interview with Silk Way TV Channel, the American diplomat covered the main aspects of the bilateral cooperation between the two…

Hungary Sees Kazakhstan as Strategic Partner, Says Foreign Minister Szijjarto

ASTANA – Central Asia’s role of being a transit corridor for goods from China and broader Southeast Asia will increase, giving a basis for a strong economic partnership with the European Union (EU), said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto in a recent interview with Jibek Joly TV channel.  Sharing his…

Kazakhstan to Become New Regional Academic Hub, Says Minister of Science and Higher Education

ASTANA – Kazakhstan can seize an opportunity to emerge as a thriving academic hub. However, building a brand requires substantial investment and resources, said Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times.  In the Q&A below, the minister shared his thoughts on trends shaping higher education in…

China and Kazakhstan Can Reach Breakthrough Economic Agreements, Says Expert

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev starts his state visit to China on May 17. He is expected to take part in the China – Central Asia summit with other heads of Central Asian states attending the event in Xian, one of China’s most ancient cities. Strengthening regional economic ties will be the main subject of…

Goal of Rahmon’s Visit to Kazakhstan Is Purely Economic, Says Expert

ASTANA – The May 3 state visit of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Kazakhstan showed that the strategic cooperation will grow in the coming years, Yersultan Zhanseitov from the Institute of World Economy and Politics said in an interview with Jibek Joly TV Channel. “I believe the main goal of the visit is purely…

Kazakhstan Has Done A Lot to Promote Women’s Chess, Says American Grandmaster Irina Krush

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become one of the absolute favorites at the World Olympiads thanks to prominent players like Bibisara Assaubayeva, Dinara Saduakassova and Zhansaya Abdumalik, who are setting an example for many new players. In an interview with Jibek Joly TV Channel, American female grandmaster Irina Krush shared her views on the role of…

150 Students from Kozybayev University to Study in US Through Dual-Diploma Program

ASTANA – Kozybayev University in Petropavlovsk in northern Kazakhstan is ready to send the first 150 students who were enrolled in the academic year of 2022 to study in the United States through dual-diploma and international programs. The demand is notable, said Damel Mektepbayeva, a member of the Management Board for Innovation and Internationalization at…

Energy Dialogue Between Kazakhstan and Germany Covers Alternative Sources, Deputy Foreign Minister Says

ASTANA – The energy dialogue between Kazakhstan and Germany includes not only traditional but also alternative energy sources, Kazakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko said in an interview with German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle published on April 2.  Vassilenko paid a visit to Germany on March 27-28, where the Kazakh diplomat met his…

Kazakh Small and Midsize Businesses Need More Space to Develop, Says Top Political Expert

ASTANA — Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighted in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s speech at the opening of the first session of the Kazakh Parliament’s eighth convocation on March 29, have to be given more space for growth, said Alibek Tazhibayev, political expert and director of the Eurasian Monitoring analytical research center, in his interview with…

Kazakhstan to Play Catalyst Role in Integration Processes in Central Asia, Says Expert

ASTANA – Central Asia is a region with its own specificities and contradictions, where the integration process is about to develop, and Kazakhstan may play a crucial role as a catalyst, said Dr. Martin Sajdik from the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) in an interview with Astana Times. Dr. Sajdik, who specializes…

Parliamentary Elections Are Shaping Mature Political Culture in Kazakhstan, Say Experts

ASTANA – In the run-up to the parliamentary election this Sunday, Kazakh experts share their views on the ongoing political processes in the country, emphasizing their contribution to advancing electoral culture.  Elections to the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament, and maslikhats, local representative bodies, will take place in Kazakhstan on March 19. According to…