To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Public Policy & Politics, Kazakhstan

Kazakh PM’s visit to Poland postponed
20.05.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

The visit of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov to Poland, which was scheduled for mid-May, was rescheduled for a later date, the official of the Central Communications Service under the President of Kazakhstan Altai Abibullayev said on Monday.

"The official visit of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov to Poland really was planned. However, the visit got postponed for a later date by agreement of the parties and given the tight schedule of the Prime Minister," Abibullayev said at a briefing.

Kazakhstan, Bolivia establish diplomatic relations
20.05.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Kazakhstan and Bolivia established diplomatic relations after their permanent UN representatives signed a joint communiqué in New York, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said.

"On the Kazakh side, the document was signed by the permanent representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Birganym Aitimova, and on the Bolivian side - by the country's permanent representative to the UN, Sasha Sergio Yorenti," a press release from the Foreign Ministry said.

Kazakh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia takes up dual role in Bahrain
13.05.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

The Kazakh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking up a dual role by being appointed at the same time to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bakhtiyar Tasymov presented his credentials to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Press Service of the Foreign Ministry reported in its press release.

'During a conversation after the ceremony, Bakhtiyar Tasymov called on the interested parties in Bahrain to actively participate in the international exhibition EXPO-2017 in Astana', the ministry's press release says.

Kazakh President to visit Croatia
29.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev is expected to pay an official visit to Croatia by the end of 2013, Kazinform reported with the reference to Croatian Deputy Foreign and European Affairs Minister Josko Klisovic.

Kliskovic said about the planned visit at the Kazakh-Croatian business forum in Astana on Monday.

"We believe that this visit will strengthen bilateral partnership and cooperation between the two countries at all levels," he said.

Kazakh Foreign Ministry says suspects of Boston Marathon bombings have not lived in Kazakhstan
22.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Some media outlets reported that the suspects in arranging bombings in Boston could live in different countries, including Kazakhstan, at different times.

"However, currently, we found no actual evidences to confirm these rumors," Kazakh Foreign Ministry's statement says.

According to the statement, for its part, the Foreign Ministry is ready to provide maximum assistance to American partners.

"Kazakhstan strongly condemns terror acts in any form and expresses its sincere solidarity with the residents of Boston," the statement says.

Bill on Kazakhstan's participation in ISAF activity in Afghanistan to be withdrawn
18.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

The Kazakh government decided to withdraw the bill on the "Ratification of the agreement on participation in the activities of the International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan (ISAF) in the form of an exchange of notes between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization" from the Majilis of the Kazakh Parliament, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said today.

"The implementation of the agreement is invalid in connection with the upcoming completion of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan," the Kazakh foreign ministry said.

New Board of Directors elected at KazMunaiGas Exploration Production in Kazakhstan
18.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production ("KMG EP") held an Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on April 16, 2013, where the new Board of Directors of the Company was elected for the term of one year, KMG EP said today.

The following members were elected to the Board of Directors:

• Lyazzat Kiinov - Chairman of the Board of Directors of KMG EP, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC KazMunaiGas;
• Timur Bimagambetov - Deputy Chairman of the Management Board for production and technical development at JSC NC KazMunaiGas;

Kazakhstan attaches great importance to cooperation with Pakistan
16.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Kazakhstan attaches great importance to cooperation with Pakistan and considers it not only in the context of strengthening the strategic relations between the two countries, but within strengthening the stability and security in the region, head of the Military Education and Science Department of the Kazakh Ministry of Defence, Major General Edil Urazov said during a meeting with a Pakistani military delegation.

President: Kazakhstan must simplify construction permit rules
11.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Kazakhstan must improve the position in the WB rating 'Doing Business' on the index for obtaining construction permits, Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev said at a meeting of the Entrepreneurs Council.

"Aspects of regulation and permanent reduction of the permit system is important," President Nazarbayev said. For example it is necessary to obtain 32 permissions to deal with the construction business in Kazakhstan against six in Hong Kong. But six and 32 have a difference."

Kazakhstan and UN discuss cooperation
11.04.2013
Cental Asia|Kazakhstan|Public Policy & Politics

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev received Deputy Secretary General, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, the presidential press-service reported on Thursday.

The parties discussed the key aspects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN organizations in a wide range of areas.

Tokayev informed the President about the current activities of the UN Office in Geneva, and work aimed at conclusion of multilateral agreements in the field of arms control and disarmament.