ROMANIA-KAZAKHSTAN: 20 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. AN OUTSTANDING CEREMONY OF FRIENDSHIP

On 23 May 2012, Romania had hosted, in the splendid venue of Palace of Culture and Education, the Academic and Diplomatic Conference: ROMANIA-KAZAKHSTAN: 20 YEAR OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.

Professor dr. Anton Caragea, Ambassador Talgat Kaliyev, Ambassador of Iraq-Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Shakarchi ( BEST AMBASSADOR FOR 2011), Minister of Culture-Mircea Diaconu, prof.dr.Aurelian Bondrea-Rector of Spiru Haret University  

The conference was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan-Romania diplomatic relations. A significant celebration, keeping in mind that Kazakhstan is today the most important economic and strategic partner of Romania in Central Asia.
Professor dr.Aurelian Bondrea held a welcoming speech for the distinguished guest on behalf of academic community expressing the support for fostering Romania- Kazakhstan cooperation and friendship.

H.E. Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania ( 1996-2000), describing key elements of Romania-Kazakhstan friendship. 

The Conference was opened with the key-note speech of H.E. Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania ( 1996-2000) who stress important moments in the bilateral relations: Romania and Kazakhstan  in the last years. He elaborate on the hosting in Bucharest of International Academic Conference KAZAKHSTAN CHAIRMANSHIP OF OSCE ( 24 February 2010). This being the only case when Romanian diplomacy supported openly the O.S.C.E.  restructuring agenda put forward by Kazakhstan or  the hosting by Romania of the International Conference celebrating 20 years of Kazakhstan achievements on the road of independence.

The Conference titled: KAZAKHSTAN: 20 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE AND PROGRESS express Romania support for the economic and political development of Kazakhstan, that in a short span of time, only 20 years had become a supplier of security and stability in all Central Asia area.

Minister of Culture, Mircea Diaconu-Expressing Romanian Government support for strengthening the Romania-Kazakhstan relation.

Expressing Romanian Government support for strengthening the Romania-Kazakhstan relation, the Minister of Culture, Mircea Diaconu underlined the support offered by Romania to Astana bid of hosting EXPO 2017 by organizing the art exhibition ASTANA-CAPITAL OF THE FUTURE.

The same pledge was contained in Minister of Economy speech and other officials present at the conference and in the message of Romanian Parliament conveyed for this special occasion by Vice-President of Cultural Commission of Romanian Parliament Deputy Ahmed Aledin.

Vice-President of Cultural Commission of Romanian Parliament Deputy Ahmed Aledin conveyed Romanian Parliament message .

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania had expressed the commitment of Romania in upholding a strategic relation build with Kazakhstan. Romania is fallowing with great interest and appreciation the tremendous achievements of Kazakhstan and has lost no opportunity in emphasizing his long standing desire for supporting Kazakhstan progresses by hosting important events such as International Conference on OSCE- Kazakhstan Chairmanship (24 February 200) endorsing Kazakhstan reform agenda for the OSCE, Academic conference marking 20 years of Kazakhstan independence: KAZAKHSTAN 20 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE AND PROGRESS and supporting Astana bid for EXPO 2017 by organizing ASTANA-CAPITAL OF THE FUTURE Exhibition in Bucharest concluded professor Anton Caragea.

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation presented the strategic partnership: Romania-Kazakhstan .

The High Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, H.E. Serzhan Oralbayevich ABDYKARIMOV had taken the floor expressing Kazakhstan side appreciation for the organizers of  Academic and Diplomatic Conference: ROMANIA-KAZAKHSTAN: 20 YEAR OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. Kazakhstan is regarding the relation with Romania with application and dedication as is the only strategic partnership in the region. Romania is representing for Kazakhstan the main diplomatic partner in this region, the main investment area in Europe, the most important economic and trade partner and a political allied concluded Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. Oralbayevich ABDYKARIMOV.

The High Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, H.E. Serzhan Oralbayevich ABDYKARIMOV conveyed Kazakhstan message of friendship. 

The final key note message was expressed by  H.E. Ion Iliescu, President of Romania ( 1990-1996;2000-2004) who emphasized that Romanian stance in celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan it is not only a testimony of unprecedented development in the last years of the diplomatic and economic relationships between the two countries, but also a testimony to Romania`s ability to efficiently mobilize and organize the intellectual elite and to host international resounding events destined to boost the Europe bridging towards Central Asia.

H.E. Ion Iliescu, President of Romania ( 1990-1996;2000-2004)  recalling the decision taken 20 years a go in establishing Romania-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations.

In the thunderous applause the diplomatic corp accredited to Romania welcomed  the decision to award the ROMANIAN MEDAL OF HONOR for DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENTS for H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan- Dr. YERZHAN KAZYKHANOV was read out by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

The insignia, official decree and the medal where entrusted to Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. Oralbayevich ABDYKARIMOV to be offered to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

The decision to award the ROMANIAN MEDAL OF HONOR for DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENTS for H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan- Dr. YERZHAN KAZYKHANOV.

The concluding speech of the conference had being held by H.E. Kazakhstan Charge d`affairs to Romania Mr. Talgat Kaliyev who conveyed his heartfelt and sincere appreciation for the host and organizers of this impressive event.

A full hall listen the message of friendship between Romania and Kazakhstan.

After the conference, diplomats and academics present on the venue had visited a Book Exhibition hosted on the Palace of Culture and Education and dedicated to Kazakhstan and having in the center the book of President of Kazakhstan : In the heart of Eurasia by Nursultan Nazarbayev.

 The Academic and Diplomatic Conference: ROMANIA-KAZAKHSTAN 20 YEAR OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP had being unanimously appreciated as a unique diplomatic manifestation of friendship reuniting in honor of Romania-Kazakhstan strategic partnership: two presidents, two ministers and eight state secretary in an unprecedented manifestation of solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

Professor dr.Aurelian Bondrea-Rector of Spiru Haret University is offering the academic community salute.

   

Ambassador of Slovenia , Ambassador of Iraq , Ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan Representative  

Ambassadors present in the venue of the conference.

Qatar Charge d`affairs -Almuhannad Ali H.A.Al-Hammadi

Ambassador of United Arab Emirates -Yacoub Yousef Al Hosani

Minister of Culture entertaining with the ambassadors at the Romanian-Kazakhstan Book Exhibition: in the first line Slovenian Ambassadors- Jadranka ŠTURM KOCJAN and  Ambassador of Venezuela -Z. Coromoto Prieto de Rodriguez.

Proiectul „Conştientizarea şi educarea tinerilor privind problematicile de protecţie a mediului şi dezvoltare durabilă” porneste la Galati si Bacau

Forumul Ecologiştilor din România este o organizaţie neguvernamentală, non-profit, al cărei scop este acela de a oferi asistenţă pentru soluţionarea problemelor de mediu din România prin promovarea strategiilor de dezvoltare durabilă.

„Conştientizarea şi educarea tinerilor privind problematicile de protecţie a mediului şi dezvoltare durabilă” a starnit entuziasmul tinerilor din Bacau

Susţinem implicarea societăţii civile în acţiunile de informare a populaţiei, dar şi asigurarea unei atitudini participative a tinerilor, printr-o conştientizare eficientă a problemelor de mediu şi prin oferirea unor instrumente practice pentru rezolvarea sau diminuarea acestora.

În acest sens, cu sprijinul Administraţiei Fondului pentru Mediu, Forumul Ecologiştilor din România va derula în perioada iulie 2011-iulie 2012 proiectul „Conştientizarea şi educarea tinerilor privind problematicile de protecţie a mediului şi dezvoltare durabilă”. Proiectul se adresează la nivel primar uneia dintre cele mai dinamice categorii sociale, care dovedeşte cea mai rapidă adaptabilitate la o viaţă bazată pe principii ecologice şi dezvoltare durabilă: tinerii. Avem în vedere aici elevii şi studenţii, grupând cele două laturi complementare: cei provenind din mediul urban, dar şi cei din mediul rural.

„Conştientizarea şi educarea tinerilor privind problematicile de protecţie a mediului şi dezvoltare durabilă” a starnit entuziasmul tinerilor din Galati

În cadrul acestui proiect, sîmbătă, 22 octombrie 2011 s-a desfăşurat la Galaţi, la Liceul de Artă Artă Dimitrie Cuclin, situat în str. Domnească, nr. 97-99, cu începere de la ora 10.30 o conferinţă organizată de Forumul Ecologiştilor din România cu sprijinul Administraţiei Fondului pentru Mediu privind problemele specifice de mediu la nivelul Regiunii Sud-Est ce a pus accent cu precădere pe sursele locale de poluare, zona Galaţi fiind una dintre cele mai sensibile din ţară din acest punct de vedere, dar şi pe comportamente şi mentalităţi ale publicului larg care afectează mediul. Această manifestare a fost urmată de o conferinţă similară desfăşurată la Universitatea „Vasile Alecsandri” din Bacău, cu începere de la ora 10.30 privind problemele specifice de mediu la nivelul Regiunii Nord-Est, respectiv judeţele Bacău. Iaşi, Botoşani, Suceava, Vaslui, Piatra-Neamţ.

Tinerii imbina informarea cu actiunea la Bacau : actiune de ecologizare reusita

Manifestarea s-a bucurat de prezenţa conducerii Universităţii, a numeroase cadre didactice, studenţi de la facultăţi de profil şi reprezentanţi ai agenţiei regionale de protecţia mediului Bacău. Cu această ocazie a avut loc şi prezentarea Albumului „Patrimoniul natural al României”, editat de Dl. Dr. Ing. Petru Lificiu, Preşedintele-Fondator al Forumului Ecologiştilor din România. Tot în regiunea Bacău s-a desfăşurat şi o acţiune de ecologizare la care au participat numeroşi elevi şi studenţi din regiune. Această acţiune a avut rolul de a creşte responsabilitatea acestora asupra gestionării ecologice a deşeurilor şi a necesităţii colectării selective a acestora în vederea reciclării.

KAZAKHSTAN : 20 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE. 20 YEARS OF ASTONISHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Address of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev

State-of-the nation address of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev

 

 Dear compatriots!

Dear deputies and members of the Government!

Ladies and gentleman!

This year is especially valuable for us. We have approached the 20th anniversary of our independence. We have conquered significant tops along this way, which led dependent people to independent days of present time. As you remember, in 1997, in my first address to the people of Kazakhstan, I said: “By 2030, our next generations will live in a country which would not be left in the wayside of global events”. At that time, there were many people who were doubtful about these words. However, we have achieved this desired goal not in 33, but in twelve years! The Summit, recently held in Astana, convened the heads of the 56 states and governments and is an outstanding evidence of this. And even before this major and glorious achievement, we have reached many goals. We have become one of the three states in the world, which convened its compatriots, “scattered as millet” in different times of history. In these years, more than 800,000 compatriots came back from foreign states and the number of population increased by one and a half million. We have built a beautiful and prosperous Astana in the wide steppe of Sary-Arka. We have established the capital, which became the symbol of our dynamic development, on the banks of Yessil River.

Only the nation which lives in harmony and understanding will reach the fruitful future.

Today, Kazakhstan’s international reserves are about 60 billion USD.

Prosperity requires cooperation, and unity is the token of wealth.

In the years of independence, more than 120 billion USD in foreign investment were attracted in the economy of our country.

We also export more than 200 kinds of products to 126 countries of the world.

Today, one third of the national wealth is created by small and medium-sized businesses.

The agricultural sector is also developing.

In 2010, the GDP increased by 7 percent, industrial production – by 10 percent, while the growth in manufacturing industries reached 19 percent.

An average monthly salary increased from 53,000 in 2007 to 80,000 tenge (KZT) in 2010.

In terms of the national wellbeing, last year Kazakhstan made 26 steps forward and took the 50^th place among 110 countries.

Overall, an average monthly salary increased by 5.5 times and the average pension increased fourfold.

We overcame the crisis, which shook the world, and bravely stepped onto a straight path of development.

We set ourselves ambitious goals, and we achieved them.

About 500 public health facilities were built during the years of independence.

The material and technical foundation of the medical institutions has significantly improved.

In developing education, our country takes leading positions among 129 countries.

Funds allocated to education increased tenfold during the last decade.

A total of 750 new schools were built in these years.

Also, 5,302 preschool facilities, 1,117 nursery schools and 4,185 centres were opened.

A new University, which in the new century will become the centre of science and knowledge, was opened in Astana.

In such a short period of time, we have become the country with many trophies and a strong nation.

All this was done to give our people opportunities to think globally.

1. Accelerated Economic Modernization – Continuing the Programme of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

We enter the twentieth year of Independence.

In December 1991, having chosen the strategic goals of sustainability and success, we moved forward, creating new programmes of development for each new stage.

We set ourselves ambitious goals, and we achieved them.

I will give only one integrated index of the country’s progress.

In 1994, Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita was slightly above 700 USD.

By January 1, 2011, it has reached per more than 12 times and exceeded 9,000 USD.

We had planned to reach such a level only by 2015.

The international experience shows that during their first 20 years of independence, no other country was able to achieve such a result.

For example, GDP per capita in South Korea in the first twenty years of its sovereign development has increased threefold, in Malaysia – twofold, in Singapore – fourfold, in Hungary – fivefold, and in Poland – fourfold.

In my address to the people in January 2010, I announced the Programme of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development.

There are already concrete results of the first year of its implementation.

We have already launched 152 enterprises, creating 24,000 jobs for the people of Kazakhstan.

In total, about eight hundred different enterprises were established in the country.

We have begun the process of active reconstruction and development of chemical and light industries; we have made a breakthrough in agricultural processing.

Until 2014, we plan to implement 294 investment projects worth 8.1 trillion KZT.

161,000 new permanent jobs will be created and 207,000 new jobs will be available for the period of construction.

The main outcome of the first year of the first industrial five-year plan is the commencement of serious structural changes in the economic growth thanks to the real economy sector.

I will reiterate the purpose of the Strategic Plan for the next decade.

By 2020, we must achieve the following indices:

Overall GDP growth will be no less than 30 percent.

Growth in processing industries will exceed or reach the level of extractive industries.

The National Fund assets will comprise no less than 30 percent of the GDP.

Domestic and foreign investments in non-raw materials economy sectors will increase by at least 30 percent.

The share of small and medium-sized businesses in the GDP will comprise 40 percent.

The population will grow to 18 million people.

The share of qualified specialists will make 40 percent.

The unemployment rate will stay under 5 percent.

Labour productivity in agriculture by 2014 will increase twofold, by 2020 – fourfold.

An unprecedented project to develop beef husbandry will be implemented in the agricultural sector.

Already in 2016, meat exports will comprise 60,000 tons, which is equivalent to exports of four million tons of grain.

For this purpose, the state will allocate 130 billion KZT as credits.

This will allow creating more than 20,000 jobs in the countryside, and will provide a source of income for more than one hundred thousand villagers.

This will allow increasing the number of breeding stock and breeder cattle of all kinds.

All this will stimulate the growth of production in related industries: agricultural engineering, chemical and food industries, feed production, and equipment repairs.

The government, the Akims [governors] of all regions should deal with this most important part of rural industrialization.

Competitiveness of our economy should be based on efficient technologies, which ensure reduction of energy consumption.

In order to develop non-raw materials sectors, I charge the Government with developing and adopting the Comprehensive Plan for Energy Efficiency.

Industrialization forms a new paradigm for regional policy.

The Government together with the Akims should develop and approve a Programme for Development of Regions.

All of this is part of our thought-out plans.

We are still in the beginning of our way.

If we want to live better and richer, we must implement this work.

I am a supporter of the principle: a strong business means a strong state.

For the first time, we adopted the Law “On State Control and Supervision”.

The uniform principles and procedures for monitoring by all state agencies are now established.

This is done in order to further reduce the administrative pressure on businesses.

Within the framework of reform of the law-enforcement system 16 laws were adopted.

Legal mechanisms for protection of property were introduced; humanization of criminal legislation on crimes, which do not pose a grave threat to society, was carried out; the scope of non-confinement punishments, as well as preventive measures alternative to arrest, was expanded.

Due to this, only this year about two thousand people convicted for crimes of small and medium gravity would be released from prison.

The staff of the law enforcement system was reduced per 15 percent.

Their structure was optimized.

The functions unusual for law-enforcement agencies were transferred to the private sector.

Significant changes are taking place in the judicial system.

An uncompromising fight against corruption is under way.

Currently, according to international experts, the anticorruption legislation in Kazakhstan is recognized as one of the most effective.

In total, for the last two years more than 40 officials at the national level, more than 250 officials at regional and city levels, including 39 Akims and their deputies, were charged with criminal offence.

Criminal cases were filed against a minister of environment protection and a minister of healthcare, a chairman of the statistics agency, vice ministers of the ministry for emergency situations and the ministry of defence, the chairmen of the “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy”, “KazMunayGaz” and “Kazatomprom” companies, resulting in convictions.

In three years, our country’s rating in the global anticorruption index has improved by 45 points.

According to this index, we are at the top positions throughout the CIS.

This work will continue without compromise.

In the World Bank report, in 2010 Kazakhstan was recognized as the leader of reforms in the interests of businesses.

In the global ranking of countries with the most favourable business climate, Kazakhstan takes the 59^th place among 183 countries of the world.

In general, the facts of unreasonable interference of state bodies in the activity of economic entities were minimized.

Last year, the Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus was launched.

According to the results of the 10 months of 2010, the volume of trade with Russia and Belarus increased by 38 percent.

Exports of Kazakhstan’s goods to the Customs Union countries increased 52.4 percent. At that, contribution from customs duties to our budget increased by 25 percent.

All these facts objectively show that the Customs Union is a very pragmatic and concrete project, which solves the economic problems of our countries.

We have advanced to the maximum extent possible in the creation of a Single Economic Space.

It will provide a huge market for Kazakh producers.

It is a stimulus for our businesses to produce competitive goods and services.

2. Social modernization – a new social policy

We have clearly defined our plans for industrialization and technological development of economy.

The main objective of our programmes is to improve people’s wellbeing.

Therefore, I pay special attention in this Address to social modernization.

I have adopted three major state programmes: development of education, health and languages.

By May 1, I instruct the Government, together with Akims, to develop and adopt principally new programmes on:

• new employment strategies;

• modernization of housing and public utilities;

• providing the population with quality drinking water.

These programmes are aimed at solving everyday problems of millions of ordinary people of the country.

They will improve the quality of life of the people of Kazakhstan.

I will concentrate on the main aspects of the new social policy.

2.1. Education.

We must continue to modernize education.

As of today, the computerization of schools is totally completed.

They are equipped with multimedia classrooms, interactive equipment.

The introduction of a 12-year secondary education model is under way.

Lifelong learning should be the motto for all the people of Kazakhstan.

We intend to completely update the content of vocational and technical education.

Today, for one million people in developed countries there are from one to six universities.

The total number of universities in Kazakhstan is 149.

200 scientific councils forge candidates and doctors of science.

Only one out of 60 candidates and one out of 37 doctors then work in the sphere of science.

From this year on, these councils will cease functioning.

Now, we will pursue training of Masters and PhDs.

We are obliged to provide a new level of development of university education and science.

Today, on the basis of the new Nazarbayev University an innovative model of higher education institution oriented at market demands is being formed.

It aims to become a model for all universities in Kazakhstan.

20 intellectual schools founded on my instructions throughout the country will become the main base for training gifted children for best universities.

I instruct the Government:

• to develop a mechanism of transition of the universities to the innovation activity;

• to introduce new financial and economic instruments to support education for improving the quality and accessibility of education;

• for the levels of technical and higher education, to develop a savings system similar to that which is now realized by “Zhylstroisberbank” in mortgage construction. The people of Kazakhstan should have new opportunities to save funds for educating their children by means of obtaining interest bonuses from the state;

• to establish a National Council for preparation of vocational and technical personnel with the participation of representatives of business associations and employers.

All the work in the education system should be aimed at achieving the following results.

Proportion of children covered by preschool education by 2015 will comprise 74 percent, and by 2020 – 100 percent.

As a result of the “Balapan” programme, adopted on my instructions, in 2010, 35 nursery schools were built, 1,534 mini-centres were founded, and 137 private kindergartens were established.

Due to the return of previously privatized preschool institutions, 172 kindergartens were re-opened.

Coverage of children by pre-school institutions increased from 30 to 55 percent.

By 2020, we will make a complete transition to a 12-year model of education.

For this purpose, by 2015 we will build no less than two hundred schools at the expense of the republican budget and the same number – at the expense of local budgets.

By 2015, 50 percent of educational institutions will use electronic training, and by 2020 their number will increase to 90 percent.

By 2020, the share of universities, which will pass an independent national accreditation of international standards, will comprise 30 percent.

The share of universities implementing innovative and research activity and introducing the results of scientific research into production will grow to five percent.

No less than two universities will be registered in the rating of the world’s top universities.

Quality education should be the basis of industrialization and innovative development of Kazakhstan.

2.2. Healthcare

All these years we have done everything necessary to improve the health of the people of Kazakhstan.

Healthcare financing has increased from 1.9 percent of the GDP in 2002 to 3.2 percent in 2010.

Today, for the first time, the most complex medical surgeries are done across the country.

A total of 150 tele-medical centres connected with the leading international hospitals were established.

Twenty years ago we could only dream about this.

As a result of the work done, we can note a 25 percent growth in birth rate, an 11 percent decrease in death rate, and the speeding of the population growth by 1.7 times.

By 2013, the Unified National Healthcare System will be fully introduced.

We must seriously deal with preventive medicine and improve the quality of primary medical care.

According to international assessment, about five percent of the population with the basic types of diseases use about 70 percent of all health services.

Under well-organized prevention activity, the diseases may be prevented at early stages.

Therefore, Kazakhstan should implement a set of national health surveillance programmes of targeted groups of population.

First and foremost, it relates to children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age.

A particular emphasis should be placed on expanding access to medical assistance for rural residents.

In the past year, a new social project was launched – two specialized treatment and diagnostic trains called “Densaulyk”.

They have examined and treated tens of thousands of people in the remotest corners of our country.

This kind of transport medicine is critical for Kazakhstan, and we will develop it.

This year another train will be launched.

It is necessary to bring the number of mobile medical complexes (auto clinics) up to 50 units.

We must produce them in Kazakhstan.

I instruct the Government to provide no less than 16 helicopters for air ambulance needs by 2015.

I also instruct to expeditiously explore the issue of creating medical and rescue points along highways.

They should be placed on emergency hazardous sections of major roads of nationwide significance.

Emergency medical services should be equipped with multi-profile mobile and airmobile hospitals.

I am confident these measures will save thousands of lives of our citizens.

Special attention should be paid to reduction of the level of morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis and HIV in the correctional system.

As a result of these tasks, by 2015 life expectancy of the people of Kazakhstan will increase to 70 years, and by 2020 to 72 years or more.

It is necessary to promote healthy lifestyle, use the created sports base everywhere.

By 2015, 350 medical clinics, medical and obstetric centres and clinics will be built.

2.3. Languages

My fellow people of Kazakhstan, peace and harmony in our multilingual and multi-faith society are our common achievement.

It is gratifying to note that the people of Kazakhstan, showing respect and dignity, began studying the state Kazakh language, which gave the name to the native land where we live and lead our country to wellbeing.

Now, the overwhelming majority of adults are fluent in the state language.

And this is a great achievement of independence.

Our task is to make sure that by 2017 the number of people in Kazakhstan who have mastered the state language reaches at least 80 percent. And by 2020 – no less than 95 percent.

In ten years, 100 percent of high school graduates will speak the state language.

We do our best to achieve that.

We will also develop Russian and languages of other ethnic groups in Kazakhstan.

I have always said that knowledge of three languages is an obligatory condition of one’s wellbeing.

Therefore, I believe that by 2020 a share of our population speaking English should be no less than 20 percent.

2.4. New Employment Strategy

For two years, within the framework of the anti-crisis “Road Map” programme, we have ensured employment of the population, reduced the level of unemployment and improved infrastructure in our cities and villages.

These programmes have received broad support and gratitude of the people of Kazakhstan.

Today, it is necessary to increase labour market efficiency, since the new economy requires a new generation of skilled personnel.

Self-employed population is a huge pool of talent for our economy.

We build new businesses so that the people of Kazakhstan can work there.

They should be prepared for this, learn new professions.

I assign the Government, together with the Akims of regions, and cities of Astana and Almaty, until May 1, 2011, to develop a brand new programme on employment of the population.

The Government, together with the business community, should provide free training for the people willing to work at industrial sites.

It is necessary to provide the possibility of participation of every citizen of Kazakhstan in the large-scale industrialization of the country.

A while ago, I set a goal that the anti-crisis “Road Map” programme reach every family in Kazakhstan.

And this was successfully done.

Using this experience, now it is necessary to structure the work in such a way that industrialization is truly nationwide in scale, and a matter for each citizen of Kazakhstan!

For those citizens who choose to live in rural areas, the Government together with local authorities should work out a package of measures to promote rural entrepreneurship.

In the past year, the programme for rural territories development was completed.

Now, this work will continue under the Forecast Scheme of the territorial and spatial development of the country until 2020.

In urban areas with high development potential we will develop rural infrastructure, expand access to irrigation water, microcredit programmes and in-kind grants, and organize training in entrepreneurship.

Today, there is already a legal basis for microcredit organizations’ activity.

Today, there are almost twelve hundred of them on the market and they have given more than 110,000 loans to the population totalling more than 16 billion KZT.

However, in general, they go for consumer purposes at a rather high interest rate.

We need to change the situation and the emphasis towards employment rather than consumption.

Therefore, I charge the Government, along with financial regulators, to urgently develop appropriate legislation and a set of measures.

This year, we need to additionally provide three billion KZT.

In 2012-2015, we need to increase this funding up to 10-15 billion KZT annually.

A full one hundred percent of micro-credits granted from the state money should go to setting up one’s own businesses.

The implementation of a livestock development programme, which was mentioned above, will provide jobs for tens of thousands of villagers.

Therefore, a major outreach at all levels of the executive power and the Nur Otan party is required.

I instruct the Government from the next year to move to motivational cash payments.

The main issue is to overcome the dependency mindset.

An unemployed will receive a grant for obtaining a profession, not for being unemployed.

The problem of poverty must be addressed, rather than mitigated at the expense of governmental benefits.

The state will only help objectively disabled and needy people.

2.5. Modernization of Housing and Public Utilities

The best indicator of quality of life of citizens is the comfort level of housing.

Over the past 10 years, the housing fund expanded by 30 million square meters.

This means that more than one million of our citizens now live in new apartments.

This is an important result of our housing policy.

For many years, the public sector was financed by a leftover principle.

As a result, 72 percent of communications needed repair or replacement by 2008.

Within the framework of the “Road Map” in 2009 and 2010 we did a lot to repair housing facilities.

This work must continue.

It is necessary to conduct a large-scale modernization of water, heat, electricity and gas supply, and ensure creation of an optimal model of housing.

Proportion of facilities that require overhaul should be reduced from 32 to 22 percent by 2015.

The length of the upgraded network by 2015 on the whole across the country will comprise more than 31,000 kilometres.

The state, in coordination with international financial institutions and our banks, will offer private investors, businesses and individuals, special tools of co-financing repair and reconstruction of housing and public facilities.

The implementation of the Housing and Public Utilities’ modernization programme will allow creating up to 10,000 new jobs annually.

In general, 1.5 million people living in apartment buildings will take part in its implementation.

I instruct the Government to develop a mechanism for stimulating savings and co-financing repair and restoration of common property.

Only then will we be able to improve the living conditions and increase the citizens’ responsibility for the safety of their property.

2.6. Quality drinking water

The issue of providing quality drinking water to people in Kazakhstan is the most important task of improving people’s health, therefore, this will be our priority.

Work on ensuring quality drinking water started 8 years ago, and there are positive results.

Access to centralized water supply in rural areas rose to 41 percent, in cities – to 72 percent.

The number of people using imported water decreased fourfold.

At the same time, there are still many villages in need of improvement of water supply systems.

Deterioration of water networks in urban areas reaches 60 percent.

On average, across the country, the level of access to drinking water by 2020 should reach 98 percent, and water quality must meet all established sanitary standards.

I instruct the Government to develop effective incentives for maximum involvement of private capital in the hydro-economic sector.

It is necessary to make extensive use of potential of groundwater, apply a systematic approach in the construction of new water supply facilities.

In 2020, access to central water supply in urban areas should reach 100 percent. In the countryside, it should increase twofold, to 80 percent.

2.7. Increase of Revenues – a New Quality of Life

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

This year we will increase the amount of pensions, scholarships, salaries of public sector employees by 30 percent.

For two years in a row, we have been increasing them by 25 percent.

As it was planned in a People’s platform of the “Nur Otan” party, by 2012 the average size of pensions, salaries in the budgetary organizations and scholarships will increase twofold compared to 2008.

We had promised it, and we have done it!

On my instruction, a three-year budget provides the financial support of both industrial and innovative and social programmes, which I have reported.

Now everything depends on how the Government and local authorities will implement these tasks, how this activity will be organized.

This is the minimum that needs to be done in the next decade.

We should strive to overdo these plans.

This is the main social objective of the decade.

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

By my Decree, 2011 was declared the year of the 20^th anniversary of Independence.

The State Commission has been established, and the National Action Plan has been approved.

This is a matter for everyone.

I task the Government to unite efforts of investors, business community and the people of Kazakhstan to implement it.

The motto of our jubilee is “20 Years of Peace and Creation”.

Throughout the years of independence fundamental values of the Kazakhstan Way have been formed: Freedom, Unity, Stability and Prosperity.

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

Dear deputies!

You and I have come across a difficult political collision due to the nation-wide initiative to hold a referendum on extending presidential powers until 2020.

I am sincerely grateful to all the people of Kazakhstan, as well as the initiators of this idea, for putting their signatures in support of the referendum.

On a wave of people’s will, by mid-January more than five million signatures were submitted to the CEC.

Within days the initiative on referendum has actually turned into the popular movement.

During this campaign the “Nur Otan” party has organized a public Coalition of democratic forces “Kazakhstan – 2020”.

People’s initiative showed unquenchable civil activity of the people of Kazakhstan.

It has intensified the political, intellectual life of the country.

This indicates great potential for development and progress.

You know all circumstances of this issue very well.

By my decree, I declined the proposal of the Parliament on holding this referendum, as I was planning to take part in the 2012 presidential election.

The Parliament, using its constitutional power, adopted the Law on amendments to the Constitution.

I have sent it to the Constitutional Council which should determine whether it is constitutional.

Only after this, the final decision will be made.

It should comply with the Constitution and our laws; it should also include long-term interests of our people.

In any case, the will of the people is above all.

Herewith, I declare that in our foreign policy we will ensure stability of our commitments around the world to investors, the business community.

Our policy will meet the hopes and expectations of all our partners.

Kazakhstan will remain committed to swift and efficient development of the Customs Union among Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

We will develop our cooperation with the CIS countries.

We propose our European partners to jointly develop and adopt, in a multilateral format, a “Kazakhstan-EU: 2020” Energy Charter.

This would ensure the guarantee of stability of energy supplies to the European markets, and the development of pipeline systems.

We initiate holding of a special donor conference on Afghanistan this year in Almaty.

Earlier I have proposed the idea of a Stability Pact for the Caspian Region.

This international instrument can lay a firm foundation for stability throughout the vast region of the Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Kazakhstan will continue efforts on the settlement of conflicts which we began as part of our OSCE chairmanship.

We remain leaders in the sphere of global nuclear security.

Kazakhstan proposes the UN to adopt a Universal Declaration of a Nuclear-Weapon Free World.

I consider it important as well to develop and adopt the Interstate programme of assistance to Kyrgyzstan.

This year, Kazakhstan will assume the presidency of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

We have put forward the initiatives on strengthening the dialogue between the West and the Islamic world.

The presidency in the OIC should strengthen the Asian vector of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.

The 10^th anniversary summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held in Astana this July.

The SCO was created with our active participation, and we must do our best to make it stronger.

All of this will be Kazakhstan’s important contribution to regional and global stability.

Dear audience!

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

You all know about the initiative of holding the referendum to extend the term of the office of the head of state.

The non-governmental organizations, representatives of the intelligentsia and deputies of the Parliament support this initiative.

I take this warm wish of the people as an appreciation of efforts to strengthen the independence and statehood of our country.

Love for the motherland means one has to meet all challenges that it sends.

My life is tied to the destiny of our country.

I was charged to take our independence and build the country during tough times.

Therefore, striving to justify the confidence, I took all responsibility upon myself.

I adopted difficult momentous decisions pouring all my heart into them.

For 20 years, I have been serving my country, sparing no efforts or experience.

In these years, all our achievements, which raised our status and reputation, have been our common success.

Therefore, I am grateful to the initiators and the people of Kazakhstan who expressed their wishes!

I have never had more happiness than to serve the interests of my country and welfare of my motherland.

We still have a lot of work.

Our most important value in this path is our cohesive unity.

I am sure that large-hearted people of my country who value unity will become a strong and prosperous nation.

There is a wise folk saying: “If the country has a blessing there will be wellbeing and its direction will be right”.

In this address, we summed up the results of the work, which had been done during a glorious stage and outlined a direction for the future.

I wish you all a great success in your noble work towards wellbeing in the interests of the country!

Let our noble activities, which brought us to these glorious days, be blessed, dear compatriots!

Thank you for your attention.

 

KAZAHSTAN : 20 DE ANI DE MIRACOL ECONOMIC SI PROSPERITATE

KAZAHSTAN : 20 DE ANI DE MIRACOL ECONOMIC SI PROSPERITATE de prof.dr.Anton Caragea

Astăzi, într-o lume bântuită de spectrul crizei economice, obişnuită cu eufemismul creşterii negative, cu spectrul reducerii investiţiilor şi al şomajului, modelul economic kazah pare impresionant.

În anii cei mai grei ai crizei, economia kazahă a continuat să crească cu un ritm mediu de 3% anual, a continuat să producă locuri de muncă şi prosperitate, ajungând la un vârf de competitivitate în regiunea Asiei Centrale.

Care este secretul acestei dezvoltări? Un răspuns simplist ar fi bogăţia în rezerve naturale de gaz şi petrol a Kazahstanului, dar acest răspuns este incomplet şi ne duce pe o pantă greşită.

Zeci de alte ţări se bucură de aşa zisa mană petrolieră şi gaziferă fără ca aceste atuuri să modifice tabloul unor economii slabe, sărace şi bântuite de corupţie. Modelul kazah se bazează în mod clar pe alte elemente suplimentare.

Kazahstan: o economie bazată pe export

În 1991, când Kazahstanul pornea pe drumul independenţei, rezervele sale de petrol şi gaze erau incomplet exploatate, liniile de export petrolier şi de gaze erau îndreptate doar spre economia rusă, care nu mai putea plăti aceste influxuri energetice, iar ţara era chiar in incapacitate de a-şi asigura necesarul energetic propriu, cu atât mai puţin să devină un jucător pe piaţa mondială a petrolului şi a gazelor.

Anumiţi experţi credeau că marile rezerve energetice ale Kazahstanului vor rămâne neexploatate, din lipsă de capital, tehnologie şi expertiză.

În doar 20 de ani, Kazahstanul a ştiut să îşi diversifice reţeaua de parteneri şi să devină un jucător energetic complex, care asigură dezvoltarea puterii economice chineze, plus necesarul de energie al Uniunii Europene şi al economiei ruseşti, având în acelaşi timp deschise coridoare energetice spre Golful Persic şi spre Marea Mediterană.

Investiţiile în economia kazahă au depăşit 120 de miliarde de dolari în ultimii 20 de ani, iar rezervele valutare ale ţării au trecut de 60 de miliarde de dolari.

Explicaţiile acestui miracol economic sunt nenumărate:    un climat investiţional deschis, sprijin acordat investitorilor strategici, sprijin acordat investitorilor kazahi, diversificarea partenerilor externi pentru a obţine un preţ cât mai bun pentru materiile prime exportate de Kazahastan.

Dezvoltare bazată pe investiţiile de stat

Kazahstanul a înţeles rapid un adevăr al economiilor dezvoltate: nu se poate fără un sprijin al statului faţă de activitatea economică și fără preluarea de către stat a unor cheltuieli de dezvoltare şi cercetare ce nu pot fi suportate de către agenţii privaţi.

Aceeaşi necesitate sprijinului statului apare şi în cadrul investiţiilor în infrastructură, fără de care economia nu va fi nici dezvoltată, nici competitivă.

Ca atare, în aceşti 20 de ani investiţiile economice ale statului au ajuns la 30% din PIB, asigurând o rată de creştere economică de 8% înainte de criză şi de 3% în timpul crizei.

Astfel, economia kazahă oferă acum un portret complet diferit de a cel de acum 20 de ani: o economie modernă, competitivă, bazată pe export şi în continuă creştere şi care de acum se poate baza şi pe o piaţă internă de peste 16 milioane de locuitori şi cu un produs per capita de peste 9.000 de dolari.

Economia kazahă creşte în timp de criză

În timp ce economia mondială se restrânge şi cererea de materii prime stagnează sau scade, totuşi economia kazahă cunoaşte o creştere sănătoasă în ultimii ani. Misterul se explică simplu, un plan ambiţios de dezvoltare pe perioada 2010-2014 şi intitulat simplu şi clar Programul pentru dezvoltare industrială accelerată şi inovaţie.

Planul va creea, doar în 2011, peste 24.000 de noi locuri de muncă în 152 de noi întreprinderi ce vor fi înfiinţate şi va fi realizată o investiţie în economia productivă de peste 14% din PIB.

În total, pe parcursul programului vor fi finalizate 294 de proiecte industriale şi peste 207.000 de noi locuri de muncă vor fi create spre a moderniza economia kazahă, astfel încât somajul să nu depăşească 5%, asta în condiţiile în care populaţia va creşte cu încă 2 milioane de locuitori, de la 16 la 18 milioane, până în 2020.

Profesor dr. Anton Caragea vorbind la Universitatea Euro-Asiatica din Astana : Kazahstan si Uniunea Europeana

Totodată, planul nu se concentrează doar pe investiţiile în industrie. Agricultura este şi ea vizată, Kazahstanul, care a trecut deja de la stadiul de importator de alimente la cel de exportator, va trece acum la un export susţinut de produse animaliere pentru pieţele din Orientul Mijlociu.

Rolul statului, determinant

Statul nu s-a retras din economie, lăsând-o să lupte singură cu criza, ci a continut să susţină producția, apoi nu a investit resursele nici în consum, nici în susţinerea sectoarelor bancare, ci în susţinerea sectoarelor direct productive care menţin economia în funcțiune.

În final, statul kazah a înţeles ABC-ul economiei de piaţă keynesiene, anume că fără investiţii directe ale statului, nici o economie nu poate rezista şi a luat deciziile necesare impulsionând creşterea economică a Kazahstanului.

Investiţia în oameni și competitivitatea

Toate aceste eforturi nu ar fi avut acelaşi succes dacă statul kazah s-ar fi îndreptat doar spre un model economic de piaţă liberă, fără să fie interesat şi de latura socială, de investiţia în oameni. Economia nu poate funcţiona fără specialişti, fără cadre profesionalizate şi baza oricărei dezvoltări economice stă în oameni şi în pregătirea lor.

Ca atare, toate planurile economice din ultimii 20 de ani au pus la baza lor investiţia în sistemul universitar performant al Kazahstanului, parteneriate cu universităţile de top din lume, atragerea de cadre didactice prestigioase şi investiţia în baza materială, toate au asigurat Kazahstanului o dezvoltare rapidă în domeniu, ajungând pe locuri fruntaşe în topul cercetării şi inovaţiei-singura bază a competitivităţii economice.

Atenţia acordată cercetării s-a reflectat în atragerea de investiții străine, numai Statele Unite investind direct peste 5 miliarde de dolari doar în primele 6 luni ale lui 2010.

Alţi investitori de top, atraşi de climatul favorabil al Kazahstanului şi de potenţialul său uman sunt Olanda, Marea Britanie, Franţa şi Italia, iar ritmul investiţiilor străine a crescut în perioada crizei datorită poziţiei strategice a Kazahstanului, la răscrucea pieţelor în dezvoltare din India, China, Rusia şi Asia Centrală.

În plus, Kazahstanul a ştiut să se centreze în mijlocul unei uriaşe pieţe comune de peste 170 de milioane de locuitori şi cu o cotă de piaţă de 6.000 de miliarde de dolari, prin semnarea unui acord de anulare a barierelor vamale cu Rusia şi Belarus.

Toţi investitorii străini apreciază că principala raţiune a prezenţei lor în Kazahstan o reprezintă potenţialul uman formidabil al ţării, cu o rată a alfabetizării de peste 99.6% şi cu o rata a şcolarizării universitare de peste 53%.

Adunând la aceste argumente şi obişnuitele reduceri sau anulări de taxe, anularea taxelor pe terenuri şi investiţii şi venituri, toate acestea au creat imaginea unui paradis investiţional în Kazahstan, după cum scria Aset Issekeshev, Ministrul Noilor Tehnologii şi al Industriei din Kazahstan.

Drumul Mătăsii: varianta modernă

Toată lumea îşi aduce aminte de vestitul Drum al Mătăsii, care lega bogăţiile Asiei de pieţele dornice de mătase, aur şi mirodenii ale Europei. Astăzi când piaţa europeană doreşte cu aceeaşi pasiune gazul şi petrolul Asiei, un nou Drum al Mătăsii îşi deschide porţile şi trece bineînţeles pe teritoriul Kazahstanului, precum trecea şi acum 500 de ani.

Proiectul unui ambiţios Drum al Mătăsii, ce leagă Vestul Chinei cu Vestul Europei, este noul proiect ce pune Kazahstanul în centrul dezvoltării economice mondiale. Noul drum va pune laolaltă căi ferate, şosele largi, trenuri de mare viteză pentru marfă şi pasageri, containere de transport şi conducte de apă, gaze şi petrol.

În plus, drumul va avea noi ramificaţii spre Iran şi Turcia, alte doua pieţe în rapidă dezvoltare. Când drumul va fi complet, va lega bogatul potenţial economic al Chinei, cu resursele energetice ale Asiei Centrale şi Orientului Mijlociu cu piaţa dezvoltată a Europei Occidentale şi cu pieţe din Orientul Mijlociu şi Marea Mediterană.

Noul drum va măsura 8.455 de km şi va aduce în 10 zile orice produs şi călător de la Beijing la Sankt Petersburg şi în Vestul Europei, drumul de până acum, maritim, fiind de 36.300 de kilometri şi fiind acoperit în 45 de zile, deci o reducere drastică a timpului şi a parcursului, care este extrem de marcantă şi benefică pentru dezvoltarea economică a regiunilor traversate.

Noul drum va beneficia de peste 110 de milioane de tone de cargo şi va creşte la peste 500 de miloane în următorii 5 ani. Aceste investiţii în infrastructură şi în mijloacele de transport îşi vor face simţite efectele benefice asupra economiilor din China, Japonia, Coreea de Sud şi zona de est a Asiei.

Fezabilitatea proiectului a fost garantată de Banca Mondială, care a şi alocat 2 miliarde de dolari pentru proiect sponsorizând refacerea a peste 1.000 de kilometri de cale ferată, în timp ce Kazahstanul va aloca 15 miliarde pentru acest ambiţios proiect.

Studiile de fezabilitate vorbesc despre o rata a profitabilităţii de 30% anual, astfel încât în 3 ani sumele investite vor fi recuperate, iar alte peste 58 de proiecte de investiţii vor beneficia de aportul acestui plan.

Fără acest proiect Vestul Chinei ar rămâne o regiune nedezvoltată, ocolită de miracolul economic chinezesc prezent pe coasta Pacificului, la fel imensele rezerve de petrol, gaze şi materii prime ale Asiei Centrale ar rămâne prea scumpe şi depărtate de piaţa europeană, cea indiană şi cea mondială, blocând refacerea economiei internaționale.

În plus, economia europeană, ce rămâne în urma competitorilor americani şi asiatici, îşi poate regăsi suflul cu ajutorul rezervelor Asiei Centrale, iar în final o piaţă de 200 de miloane de locuitori ai Asiei Centrale şi Europei de Est devin parte a economiei mondiale.

Băncile kazahe pornesc la cucerirea pieţei islamice

În momentul în care sistemul bancar mondial începe să tremure din toate încheieturile, după 20 de ani de consolidare, sistemul bancar kazah porneşte la cucerirea pieţelor islamice. Sistemul bancar kazah este cunoscut pentru sănătatea sa, obţinută prin criterii de eficienţă foarte stricte şi prin controlul susţinut al activităţior bancare şi consolidat prin rezerve masive păstrate la banca centrală.

Acum Kazahstanul vrea să intre pe piaţa mondială a produselor bancare pe uşa bancilor islamice. Aşa cum se ştie sistemul financiar mondial este constituit din sistemul bancar tradiţional, ce ocupă 65% din piaţă şi o zonă de 35 % ocupată de sistemul bancar islamic, sistem ce menţine o anumită structură conformă principiilor islamice.

Această zonă doreşte Kazahstanul să o cucerească, cu obiectiv anul 2020, an în care Kazahstanul trebuie să devină lider al sistemului bancar islamic.

Aceast obiectiv va fi obţinut prin finanţarea de către Kazahstan a proiectelor centrate pe transport, căi ferate şi sosele şi pe zona energiilor alternative şi în general numai în proiecte economice pe termen lung.

Unul din aceste proiecte îl constituie primul autobahn din Asia Centrală, cu un cost estimat de 762 de milioane de dolari şi cu o lungime de 220 de kilometri şi care va permite o viteză medie de 140 de kilometri pe oră.

Proiectul dezvoltării sistemului bancar kazah, ca un sistem bancar regional şi apoi ca un sistem bancar mondial este unul ambiţios şi are toate şansele să reuşească într-o lume ce încearcă să îşi revină după şocul crizei şi care are nevoie urgentă de finanţare masivă şi flexibilă.

Decizia strategică de a intra pe piața creditelor şi a proiectelor pe termen lung este una extrem de eficientă în condiţiile în care celelalte ţări au ieşit de pe aceasta piaţă tocmai datorită riscurilor ridicate prevăzute în termen de criză.

Lecţii ale Kazahstanului

Care sunt lecţiile pe care economia kazahă le oferă lumii ce încearcă să iasă din criză? În primul rând că nu există dezvoltare fără un puternic sector de stat şi fără un sprijin investiţional al statului pentru sectoare econmice nevralgice, ce au nevoie de investiţii majore şi susţinute, imposibil de efectuat de firme private.

Apoi, nicio dezvoltare economică nu este posibilă fără o dezvoltare umană: fără investiţii în sistemul educaţional, în sistemul medical şi în cel social, nu va exista nici impulsul de muncă şi nici productivitatea necesară unei dezvoltări economice.

Prin urmare, fără proiecte de infrastructură ambiţioase şi fără racordarea la economia mondială, nici o ţară nu se poate dezvolta şi nu îşi poate valorifica potenţialul.

WHY IS TRINIDAD TOBAGO THE WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION ? by Honorable Kamla Pershad Bissessar –Prime Minister of Government of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination will significantly assist in branding destination Trinidad and Tobago globally. We must change the perception of our country in the overseas markets. We must celebrate our country and work hard to sell our country abroad. It is anticipated that this award will open us to untapped European markets that are perhaps weary of the traditional leisure destinations and desire a more exciting vacation experience.

Honorable Kamla Pershad Bissessar –Prime Minister of Government of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 

Date: Wednesday October 19, 2011

Venue: Regency Hall-  Hyatt Regency Trinidad

Time: 12.30pm

I am indeed truly humbled and deeply honoured to be standing here today to accept, on behalf of the People of Trinidad and Tobago, the World’s Best Tourism Destination Award for 2012 from the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade. A non-governmental organisation, this body has a wide ranging membership of tourism representatives within the European Union.

We were also declared the World’s Favourite Cultural Destination in 2012 by the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade.

It is my understanding that this award was unanimously given to Trinidad and Tobago primarily for our history of impressive cultural festivals, environmental conservation and biodiversity protection amongst other factors.

It is not an award that is traditionally given to well-established tourism destinations but it is the highest honour awarded to non-European Union countries that have embraced sustainable tourism as a tool for cultural and social development and that respect and preserve their cultural and natural heritage.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade for having us join other distinguished winners of this award such as the United Arab Emirates, Syria and South Koreea.

But moreover, I thank the Council for recognising what most of us fail to acknowledge and value. And this is … Trinidad and Tobago is brim-full with tourism potential.

We are not the traditional sun, sea and surf destination. What differentiates us from the rest of our Caribbean neighbours is our diverse and rich natural, cultural and built heritage.

This People’s Partnership Government is seriously committed and dedicated to the development of the tourism industry in Trinidad and Tobago. Tourism is an incredibly important pillar in our national economic diversification effort.

We are not paying “lip service” to the industry as some may have done in the past. For too long tourism has been looked down on as a second class service sector.

We recognise that tourism is a business and fiercely competitive. Tourism requires skills, talent, enterprise and more importantly the support of government.

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination for 2012 is important for several reasons.

Firstly, it facilitates the formation of closer linkages with Europe for tourism, trade and investment possibilities. The European continent, as in its colonial past, is a formidable trading partner especially with the fall of communism and the rise of new economic powers.

Europe is, and will certainly continue to be, a cornerstone for our international business.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The economic and social advancement of this beautiful twin island Republic of ours depends to a large extent on how well we develop and harness our resources. And one such untapped resource is that of tourism.

The award of World’s Best Tourist Destination will significantly assist in branding destination Trinidad and Tobago globally. We must change the perception of our country in the overseas markets. We must celebrate our country and work hard to sell our country abroad.

It is anticipated that this award will open us to untapped European markets that are perhaps weary of the traditional leisure destinations and desire a more exciting vacation experience.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An important opportunity that this award presents is a platform to advance the commitments of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

As many of you may or may not be aware, in 2008 Trinidad and Tobago, along with its neighbours in the rest of the region, embarked upon a reciprocal trade agreement with one of our largest trading partners – the European Union (EU). The signing of the EPA signalled a shift in our trade and economic development.

We are now required to open our markets to Eastern Union manufacturers and service providers; but the EPA also provides market access for our country’s export of services to the European Union.

The Economic Partnership Agreement also speaks to specific disciplines on tourism services because of its importance to the social and economic development of the European Union and the Caribbean. These rules are complemented by a commitment to legally binding open market conditions for each other. For instance, the Europe Union has made commitments for travel agencies, tour operators, tourist guides services.

Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, have made commitments in relation to hotels and restaurants, marina services and spa services.

The EPA also includes measures that would make it easier for European Union investors to invest in the Trinidad and Tobago. This award, then, will provide a platform to attract increased investment and to promote growth and development in the tourism sector. The Economic Partnership Agreement is, therefore, rendered more relevant, more strategic and more focused on deliverables.

Honorable Prime Minister Kamla Pershad Bissessar receives WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD  for 2012.

The World’s Best Tourism Destination award will, moreover, engender a measure of national pride amongst our citizenry and raise the level of public confidence in Trinidad and Tobago as a tourist destination.

We should be proud of our country and its tourism potential. We have so much to be proud of, so much to share with each other, and so much to show off to the rest of the world. Let us not doubt or question our intrinsic value.

In closing, ladies and gentlemen, I must take a moment to publicly acknowledge the hard work and sacrifices of our tourism community … the stakeholders in our midst. The last few years have been quite challenging for all in the tourism industry.

But rest assured that the tourism industry will get the backing it needs.

But we cannot do it alone. We have all to work together. The private sector in the lead but with government acting as a facilitator; supporting every step of the way.

I want to urge you to continue working with commitment, energy and enthusiasm for the betterment of the tourism industry.

I thank you. God’s richest blessings on us all.

LARA LIFE MED – A HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL PROJECT IS OPENING IN BUCHAREST

On 22 September 2011, in a large ceremony, will be marked the opening of the most ambitious medical project in South East Europe, under the High Patronage of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation : LARA LIFE MED CLINIC .

LARA LIFE MED HEADQUARTERS IN BUCHAREST

The project is the fruition of European cooperation between MedNord Klinik   from Germany and Romanian Med Clinic and the new medical facility will offer at European Union standards medical assistance in Eastern Europe. The ambitious project is uniting the high proficiency of Romanian medical school and technical knowhow of German Medical environment.

Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation has  accepted to offer his High Patronage to the new institution as this is an example of trans-European cooperation, is offering medical services for benefit of all European Union members’ states and is improving transnational cooperation.

The 22 September 2011 ceremony will be hosted by UNICEF Ambassador Andreea Marin and H.E Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and will include a presentation of the new clinic and hospital that will offer services on lab analyses , work medicine , family medicine ,   cardiology, gastro , psychology , ORL, ophthalmology, nutritional disorders , neurology and frontier medicine ( non-invasive ).

The scientific part of the conference will be held by Professor Dr. Norbert Pfuetzenreuter, the founder of MedNord Klinik in Munich who will present the latest successes of endoscopic surgery (surgery without blood) and Prof.Dr. Ralf Senner from Munich Institute for Study of Nutritional Disorders who will present the latest achievements in over-weight patient’s treatment and recuperation.

(from left to right) Mr.Petru Lificiu-ANRE President , Mrs. Laura Ciuhu- Director LARA MED LIFE , Prof.Dr. Anton Caragea-IRICE Director , H.E. Ambassador of Nigeria- Mba Ama Mba

 

The conference will conclude with the presentation of managerial team of this important medical project by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Director of  Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation , Mrs. Laura Ciuhu, head of managerial team will then formally present to the public the new managerial and medical team.

The opening of LARA LIFE MED CLINIC is representing the fruition of a long time project of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of fostering the cooperation between European Union member’s states and entities on all levels and on all fields of activity as only friendship and mutual knowledge could build a United Europe.

 

DIALOGUE BETWEEN PRESIDENT EMOMALI RAHMON AND PROFESSOR DR. ANTON CARAGEA

On 25 august 2011 , in the framework of Romanian delegation visit in Tajikistan , Professor Dr. Anton Caragea , Director of  Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania and his delegation where received by H. E. President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan.

Joint Press Conference between President of Tajikistan – H.E. Emomali Rahmon and Professor Dr Anton Caragea , IRICE Director

 

On this opportunity President of Tajikistan had made for Romanian delegation a presentation of the situation in his country including : construction of a line of impressive hydro-energy power plant  that will insure full energy independence for Tajikistan in the next three years and also will make Tajikistan the supplier of clean energy for the region , constructing high voltage line for energy exports toward Pakistan and Afghanistan , infrastructure projects , tourism and transport modernizations , reforestation programs .

In all this fields there are important bilateral cooperation opportunities for Romanian expertise to be present, had appreciated President Emomali Rahmon.

Dialogue between H.E. President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan and Professor Dr. Anton Caragea

 

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania had underline in his replay that developing a bilateral fruitful relationship, based on mutual respect and understanding   is welcomed by Romanian side and the presence of a high level Romanian delegation, vast and complex, shows the commitment of our part in fostering the relations with Tajikistan.

Tajikistan had overcome the horrors of civil wars, had succeeded to avoid the dramatic faith of Afghanistan and build a society of equilibrium, with a social market economy, offering to all the path of development.  The vast plans, announced by President of Tajikistan, are a living proof of the right track of the country and we are appreciative for the expressed desire that Romania will be a gate for Tajikistan in Europe.

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea receives welcoming flowers from H.E. Emomali Rahmon -President of Tajikistan 

 

The dialogue had continued for an hour and a half, far more that the 30 minutes initially dedicated and after Romanian delegation had being invited to inaugurate the world tallest flag and then at on official banquet on the side of President Emomali Rahmon.

DR.PETRU LIFICIU LANSEAZA UN AMBITIOS PROGRAM DE PROTECTIE A MEDIULUI.

In data de 8 august 2011 a avut loc, intr-o ampla ceremonie sub conducerea dr.Petru Lificiu –Presedintele Fondator al Forumului Ecologistilor din Romania ,  deschiderea oficiala a programului: Constientizarea si educarea tinerilor privind problematica de protectie a mediului si dezvoltarii durabile .

Dr.Petru Lificiu –Presedintele Fondator al Forumului Ecologistilor din Romania

Programul cu o durata de un an ( iulie 2011-iulie 2012 ) reprezinta o initiativa salutara a   Administratiei Fondului pentru  Mediu de a derula prin intermediul celui mai important si puternic ONG de mediu din Romania: Forumul Ecologistilor, un program, de nivel european, de constientizare in randul tinerilor a importantei problematicii de mediu in tara noastra.

Programul extrem de serios si vast acopera cele 8 regiuni ale Romaniei cu o cantitate impresionanta de material documentar si informational de reala valoare : 4.000 de brosuri , pliante si CD-uri informationale , 800 de afise si 80 de bannere plus un sir de opt campanii de ecologizare, 10 cicluri de conferinte si o baza de date la nivel national cuprinzand sesizarile si principalele probleme de mediu si solutiile posibile.

Importanta extraordinara a programului a atras o ampla asistenta si mai ales promisiuni de sprijin din partea institutiilor statului roman : Academia Romana , Academia de Stiinte Silvice , Ministerul Educatiei , prestigioase institute de cercetare etc.

Gheorghe Popescu, presedintele Administratiei Fondului pentru Mediu

Discursul de inceput la avut dl. Gheorghe Popescu, presedintele Administratiei Fondului pentru Mediu , apreciat unanim pentru aceasta initiativa salutara ce aduce Romania in randul tarilor europene interesate de problematica dezvoltarii durabile. In alocutiunea sa dl. Gheorghe Popescu   a subliniat importanta protectiei mediului si a cadrului legislativ in perpetua ameliorare in Romania si apoi a subliniat semnificatia unor importante programe precum: Rabla sau Casa Verde, carora li se adauga acum aceasta semnificativa campanie de constientizare a publicului asupra dimensiunii de mediu.

In discursul sau inaugural, Presedintele Fondator al Forumului Ecologistilor – dr.Petru Lificiu  a ilustrat importanta problematicii de mediu si a constientizarii ei in Romania , a facut o prezentare exhaustiva a proiectului romanesc, cu paralele asupra activitatilor de gen din Austria , Germania si Elvetia. Totodata, in ampla sa analiza, dr. Lificiu a analizat rezultatele extraordinare obtinute, in ultimii sapte ani, in implementarea in Romania a unei legislatii care sa asigure protectia mediului si dezvoltarea durabila a Romaniei, progres ce nu ar fi fost posibil fara rolul societatii civile prin ONG-uri ce si-au demonstrat soliditatea si seriozitatea precum Forumul Ecologistilor din Romania.

Prof.dr. Anton Caragea , directorul Institutului de Relatii Internationale si Cooperare Economica , a subliniat la randul sau ca ne aflam in prezenta unui program extrem de important pentru Romania. Un program de nivel si calitate europeana, instrumentat de nava amiral a protectiei mediului in tara noastra : Forumul Ecologistilor. Ne aflam in fata unui progam vast, bine inchegat , perfect construit si raspunzand unor necesitati ecologice si educationale neacoperite pana acum, a apreciat prof. dr. Caragea .

Prof.dr. Anton Caragea , directorul Institutului de Relatii Internationale si Cooperare Economica

Opinii similare au fost exprimate de reprezentanti ai Ministerului Educatiei, Fondului de Mediu si ai altor institutii ce au felicitat-o pe doamna Laura Ciuhu – Presedintele Executiv al Forumului Ecologistilor  pentru initiativa salutara  dedicata protectiei mediului si dezvoltarii durabile din Romania.

ROMANIA – TAJIKISTAN : A DEVELOPING RELATION

Between 25-26 July 2011 Ambassador of Tajikistan and Representative to European Union and NATO  , Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich ,  had made an working visit to Romania at the invitation of Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on International Relations and Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania,    in order to further develop the bilateral relation and offer new dimensions to economical, cultural and political dialogue between Tajikistan and Romania .

Ambassador Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich – High Representative of Tajikistan to European Union and NATO

In the framework of the visit Ambassador Soliev paid special attention to de-frozen  the economic dimension of the relations between the two countries.

Ambassador of Tajikistan had arranged meetings with Romanian Chamber of Commerce President and European Union Bilateral  Chambers of Commerce Vice-President , Director of Romanian Investment Agency  and Ministry of Economy and other Romanian economic officials .

The parties expressed the common desire of re-launch the bilateral relations by mutual assured investment , development of trade and tourism . Romanian side express the desire , in accordance with Tajikistan Ambassador views ,  to have a Romanian – Tajikistan Economic Forum , to have Tajikistan investment in Romanian tourist sites and to have practical offers for investment in Tajikistan .

In the meetings  held by Ambassador Soliev  at Energy Minister , Romania offered technical expertise for rehabilitation of Tajikistan energy system and also expressed interest in programs for solar and wind energy exploitation in Tajikistan .

In all the meetings Ambassador Soliev Rustamjon received official congratulation on the appointment of President of Tajikistan, Emamoli Rahmon for the prestigious European award of LEADER OF XXI CENTURY , the Romanian side underlining  that this famous award is the expression of Tajikistan new position of strength in the world and also an incentive for foreign investors to seek closer economical and political relations  with Tajikistan , as the prize is awarded as a proof of European confidence in a country and a leader.

In a special meeting at the European Council on International Relations Headquarters Ambassador Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich presented for an impressive audience of academics , politicians, diplomats and foreign observers , a report about Tajikistan development today .

The report was based on the masterpiece book TAJIK ARTS AND CRAFTS THROUGH THE CENTURIES by Hamrokhon Zarifi , Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and highlighted the cultural richness  and lofty tradition  of the country. From Alexander the Great to Silk Road and today development and beauties of Tajikistan under President Emomali Rahmon economic and social reform program , the complete image of Tajikstan was presented in the Ambassador Soliev report .

Ambassador Soliev and european academics.

In the official audience granted by Director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation , professor Dr. Anton Caragea to Ambassador Soliev  the parties expressed the determination to boost cultural and academic relations, to create a framework for cultural and political dialogue and to organize an art exhibition : TAJIKISTAN IN THE HEART OF SILK ROAD  based on the art crafts presented in the book of   Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan ,  Hamrokhon Zarifi.

The parties had agreed a calendar of mutual consultation to search for new ways of fostering European Union – Tajikistan relations  but also Romania-Tajikistan relation.

The cultural dimension of bilateral Romania-Tajikistan relation was underlined also by meetings at Ministry of Culture and by visit of Ambassador Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich   to the oldest ethnographic museum in Eastern Europe : Village Museum of Romania .

The two day visit succeeded , after  a long time, to recreate a new dimension of Romania – Tajikistan relation.

Solid discussion on economy, culture and political agenda create a new framework and the Romanian side expressed, at the end of the visit of Ambassador Soliev , the desire for a continuity in this fruitful dialogue and for new ways according with the concepts of XXI century diplomacy to develop the bilateral relation.

ROMANIA – TAJIKISTAN : O RELATIE IN PLINA AFIRMARE

In perioada 25-26 iulie 2011 Inaltul Reprezentant al Tajikistanului la Uniunea Europeana si NATO , ambasador Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich, a efectuat o vizita de lucru in Romania la invitatia Profesorului Anton Caragea , Directorul Institutului de Relatii Internationale si Cooperare Economica pentru a oferi un nou suflu relatiei bilaterale si a oferii noi dimensiuni economice, politice si culturale dialogului intre Tajikistan si Romania.

E.S. Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich – Ambasadorul  Tajikistan-ului la Uniunea Europeana si NATO

In cadrul vizitei ambasadorului Soliev o atentie speciala a fost dedicata relansarii relatiilor economice intre cele doua tari.

Ambasadorul Tajikistanului a avut intrevederi la Camera de Comert a Romaniei , Camera de Comert a Uniunii Europene- reprezentanta in Romania , Agentia de Investitii si Cooperare Economica, Ministerul Economiei si alte oficialitati economice.

Partile au exprimat dorinta, impartasita, a relansarii relatiei bilaterale prin asigurarea investitiilor , dezvoltarea schimburilor si a turismului.

Partea romana si-a exprimat dorinta , in acord cu vederile partii tajice, sa aiba in acest an un Forum Economic Romania – Tajikistan  si sa obtina investitii din Tajikistan in sectorul turistic si sa aiba oferte concrete de investitii in proiecte din Tajikistan.

In intalnirile avute de ambasadorul Soliev cu oficiali din domeniul energiei, Romania si-a oferit expertiza tehnica in refacerea sectorului energetic din Tajikistan si si-a exprimat interesul pentru participarea la programe de exploatare a energiilor neconventionale ( solare si a vantului ) din Tajikistan.

In cadrul intrevederilor Ambasadorul Soliev Rustamjon a primit felicitari oficiale pentru nominalizarea Presedintelui Tajikistanului pentru prestigiosul premiu european de Lider al Secolului XXI , partea romana subliniind ca acordarea acestui prestigios premiu este o noua expresie a pozitiei de putere si prestigiu de care Tajikistanul se bucura in lume in acest moment si totodata un imbold pentru investitori si oamenii de afaceri pentru a adanci relatiile de cooperare cu Tajikistanul.

Ambasadorul Soliev felicitat de universitarii europeni .

Intr-o intalnire speciala la Centrul din Bucuresti al Consiliului European pentru Relatii Internationale , Ambasadorul  Soliev Rustamjon Abdulloevich a prezentat inaintea unei  audiente selecte de academicieni, oameni politici, diplomati si oameni de afaceri un raport despre dezvoltarea Tajikistanului astazi  .

Raportul s-a bazat pe lucrarea fundamentala : ARTA SI MESTESUGURILE DIN TAJIKISTAN DE A LUNGUL SECOLELOR de   Hamrokhon Zarifi , Ministrul Afacerilor Externe al Tajikistanului   si-a pus in evidenta bogatiile culturale si de traditii ale tarii.

De la Alexandru Macedon la Drumul Matasii si pana la reformele economice si sociale din Tajikistanul de astazi ascultatorii au avut o imagine completa a Tajikistanului dupa raportul Ambasadorului Soliev.

In audienta oficiala acordata de prof.dr.Anton Caragea  ambasadorului Soliev partile si-au exprimat determinarea de a dezvolta relatiile cuturale si academice ,  de a creea un cadru de dialog politic si cultural si de a organiza in viitorul apropiat o expozitie : TAJIKISTANUL IN INIMA DRUMULUI MATASII , pe baza obiectelor de arta prezentate in lucrarea Ministrului Afacerilor Externe al Tajikistanului, Hamrokhon Zarifi .

Partile au convenit totodata asupra unui calendar de consultari mutuale si asupra unor noi cai de dezvoltare a relatiilor intre Uniunea Europeana- Romania- Tajikistan.

Dimensiunea culturala a relatiei bilaterale Romania- Tajikistan a fost subliniata in intalnirile la ministerul culturii si in vizitarea celui mai vechi parc etnografic  din Estul Europei : Muzeul Satului.

Se poate aprecia ca vizita de doua zile a reusit sa ofere un nou suflu relatiei Tajikistan – Romania.

Discutiile solide pe teme economice, politice si culturale au creat o noua dimensiune a relatiei   bilaterale si partea romana a exprimat, la finalul vizitei Ambasadorului Soliev, dorinta de a continua acest dialog fructuos , in noile conditii ale diplomatiei de secol XXI, pentru a dezvolta relatia bilaterala.