News Digest: Overseas media related to the President’s visit to Italy, European Commission Vice-President’s Central Asia tour, etc.

ASTANA – Astana Times has selected articles about Kazakhstan published in international media. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Italy and the Vatican, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas’ tour of Central Asia, and the relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan. There is.

The national flag of Kazakhstan is on the top of the mountain. Photo credit: Melnikov Dmitriy/Shutterstock.

Schinas travels to Central Asia in preparation for the Brussels Transport Forum

Euractiv released article On January 17, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas spoke to five Central Asian countries ahead of the European Union-Central Asia Transport Infrastructure Investor Forum to be held in Brussels on January 29-30. He talked about his visits to

“Mr Schinas, whose portfolio is ‘Promoting the European Way of Life’, began his journey with a visit to Kazakhstan, the largest territory of the five countries and the most ambitious in developing relations with the EU.” the article states.

The Brussels Forum will develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) into a multimodal, modern, competitive, sustainable, predictable, smart and fast route connecting Europe and Central Asia in less than 15 days. We aim to contribute to the long-term goal of

In the current geopolitical situation, where Russia and Iran are subject to Western sanctions, the TITR, also known as the Intermediate Corridor, has become increasingly important, and its purpose is to overcome physical or bureaucratic bottlenecks. .

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Schinas described Kazakhstan as a “key actor in the positive evolution of the region” and a “harbinger of modernization and reform.”

Italy-Kazakhstan, Rome-Tokayev open a new chapter of cooperation: 23 agreements signed

This was reported by the Italian news agency Agenzia Nova. article On January 18, we reported on Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Italy.

“The first day of the President of Kazakhstan’s visit to Rome ended with the signing of a joint declaration, seven intergovernmental agreements and 16 commercial memorandums,” the article reads.

The day was particularly marked by a meeting with Prime Minister Sergio Mattarella in the Quirinale, a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Palazzo Chigi, and finally a participation in a roundtable discussion with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Ta. Investments organized in Farnesina.

Mr. Tokayev took the opportunity to speak about the beginning of a “new chapter” in relations. Italy is Kazakhstan’s third largest trading partner in the world and has invested almost $10 billion in the Central Asian country since 1991, the year of independence, he recalled.

But now, the President of Kazakhstan stressed, it is time to “take our partnership to a higher level” and “explore new areas of cooperation.” In addition to energy, there are also “huge opportunities” in the areas of scarce raw materials, energy and digital transition, transport infrastructure, industry and agriculture.

US ambassador to Kazakhstan outlines US involvement in Central Asia

US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum says US strategic interests in Central Asia center on stability and sovereignty, report Voice of America (VOA) on January 15th.

Daniel Rosenblum told the Caspian Sea Policy Center, which met on January 4, that the main goal of U.S. Central Asia policy is to ensure that Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are “self-reliant and fully sovereign.” “The aim is to ensure that the country becomes an independent country with a They can make their own choices about who they associate with, who they do business with, and who they develop relationships with, without undue pressure from outsiders. ”

Pointing to the so-called C5+1 group, which includes the United States and five republics, Rosenblum stressed that “there is value in acting as a group, integrating with each other and cooperating, which strengthens each individually.” did.

Kazakhstan is America’s largest business partner in Central Asia, with bilateral trade expected to reach $3 billion in 2022, an estimated 15% increase last year, and $5 billion in direct investment in 2023.

Kazakhstan and the EU should explore new opportunities for a stronger partnership

Aydos Salim, member of the Kazakh Parliament, analyzed the recently adopted European Parliament resolution “EU Strategy on Central Asia: New opportunities for a stronger partnership in Euroactive”. opinion Column for January 18th.

17 January, European Parliament (EP) I voted Adopt resolutions.

This resolution is a planning document of the European Parliament and reflects MEPs’ assessment of the implementation of the EU strategy for Central Asia.

This document recognizes Central Asia as a region that has formed its regional identity with an independent position on specific issues of contemporary international and regional relations and integrated regional opportunities in trade, investment, business and innovation. This is the first example.

The European Parliament recognizes that global and regional challenges and threats to the European Union and Central Asia are converging, creating new opportunities for long-term, structured cooperation.

In this regard, the European Legislative Body urges the European Union to strengthen its engagement with Central Asia, taking into account its “geostrategic importance” and to engage with Central Asian countries through enhanced political and economic cooperation. It calls for fostering strategic partnerships between the two countries.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan and Pakistan Culture Minister Jamal Shah forge cultural ties

country called pakistan major daily newspaper, published January 17 article on Kazakhstan and Pakistan’s intentions Strengthen cultural exchanges and promote people-to-people connections, especially in arts, culture, heritage and cinema.

“Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin met with Interim Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Saeed Jamal Shah at the National Heritage and Culture Department in Islamabad on Tuesday. “This reflects the shared determination of both countries to strengthen their ties,” the article said.

The Minister recognized the region’s rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes and emphasized the paramount importance of cultural connections. Both sides expressed strong interest in strengthening cooperation in film and cinema to strengthen cultural relations.

Oil majors move closer to resolving $5 billion Kashagan oil field dispute

The oil major behind the giant Kashagan oil field is nearing an agreement with Kazakh authorities to resolve a dispute over a $5 billion environmental fine, Bloomberg reported. report January 16th.

International partners including Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil and Total Energy are drafting a settlement that would block governments from pursuing environmental penalties and include pledges by companies to invest more in social projects, the people said. He spoke on condition of anonymity. The meeting is closed to the public. The spending will amount to $110 million over the next two years, one of the people said.

Kazakhstan will produce about 90 million tons of oil in 2023

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev said that Kazakhstan will extract about 90 million tons of oil in 2023, an increase of about 6 million tons from the previous year. report Spanish international news agency EFE Comunica reported on January 16th.

Kazakhstan plans to produce up to 90.3 million tons this year. Satkaliev said there are currently no problems with the transportation of Kazakh oil.

Acceptance of applications for membership in the National Coordination Committee

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program (SGP) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kazakhstan announced On January 15, applications were invited to become members of the National Steering Committee (NSC) from representatives of Kazakh civil society organizations with at least three years of experience.

These include local communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, and conservation and sustainable agriculture organizations.

Candidates should have at least three years’ experience in climate change, which is GEF’s focus area, particularly renewable energy and energy efficiency.