ASTANA – The Astana Times presents a selection of articles about Kazakhstan that have appeared in international media around the world this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes a range of topics, including the 6th Council of Presidents of Central Asian Countries in Astana, Kazakhstan and China’s incentives for building a lunar base and more.
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Continuity and change in the new cycle of Central Asian Consultative Meetings
On August 13, The Diplomat published an article highlighting the main points of the 6th Consultative Assembly of Heads of Central Asian Countries, which was held in the capital of Kazakhstan on August 9.
“The 6th Consultation in Astana had some positive aspects, including the continuation of the meetings of the presidents of the Central Asian countries… Presidential speeches during the Consultation followed the usual pattern of simultaneously presenting very general and very specific and innovative proposals in several areas, including agriculture, industry, connectivity and energy,” the article read.
According to The Diplomat, new ideas range from the creation of a Central Asian TV channel and a news Internet portal, as emphasized by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the development of new, effective forms of cooperation in the security sphere, as proposed, albeit in a very vague form, by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Kazakhstan President hosts meeting to review economic situation
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday presided over a meeting at the Akorda Presidential Palace that focused on the country's economic and social development and the government's medium-term outlook, We News reported on August 15.
“During the meeting, the Kazakh President was briefed on key indicators of socio-economic development, budget implementation for the first seven months of this year and macroeconomic parameters of the next year's budget. It was noted that the government predicts economic growth will remain at 5.6 percent next year, while inflation will slow to 5.5-7.5 percent,” the article noted.
Kazakhstan hosts 6th meeting of Central Asian leaders
On August 9, Anadolu Agency published an article about the 6th Consultation of Central Asian Heads of State and Government, which was held in Astana.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the regular holding of such meetings demonstrates the determination of the participating countries to strengthen centuries of friendship and further expand multifaceted cooperation. According to the article, Tokayev called on the participants to develop a common vision for the future of the region, especially in light of global tensions.
“Since the first meeting in Astana in 2018, through joint efforts, significant progress has been made in the development of our format. The results of the last five summits, during which important decisions were taken to deepen regional cooperation, are clear evidence of this,” Tokayev said.
The meeting was attended by the presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Director of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kakha Imnadze also attended the summit as special guests.
Thai Commerce Minister leads trade mission to Kazakhstan
Interim Minister of Commerce Puemtam Vechayachai left for Kazakhstan on August 13 on a mission to explore new opportunities for Thai products, the Bangkok Post reported on August 16.
Pumtam said Kazakhstan is an important trading partner for Thailand and could become a gateway for Thai exporters to send goods to Central Asian countries and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). On August 14, Kazakhstan's Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev and Pumtam signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement. The agreement aims to develop long-term economic relations between the two countries.
Kazakhstan and China Cooperate to Build Moon Base: A New Era of Space Exploration
In an August 14 article, EU Reporter reported on Kazakhstan and China's efforts to build a moon base and Kazakhstan's growing space ambitions.
“In a groundbreaking development that could redefine the future of space exploration, Kazakhstan and China have announced a joint venture to build a lunar base. The partnership marks a major step forward in the global space race and reflects the two countries' ambitions to be at the forefront of space exploration and technological innovation. The cooperation also underscores the growing influence of non-Western countries in a space sector that has historically been dominated by the United States and Russia,” the article reads.
The idea of building a base on the moon has long captured the imagination of scientists, engineers and space enthusiasts. Such a base could serve as a stepping stone to deeper space exploration, including the potential for Mars and beyond. It could also provide a unique platform for scientific research, resource extraction and even tourism.
For Kazakhstan and China, the collaboration not only explores new territory but also asserts their technological prowess and geopolitical influence. As China continues to expand its space presence through the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Kazakhstan sees an opportunity to leverage its strategic location and growing expertise in space technology to become a major player in the global space sector.
Container traffic on the Central Corridor through Kazakhstan sees dramatic growth
Kazakhstan's state-run railway company, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), has announced a surge in container traffic passing through the country. In the first seven months of this year, rail container traffic from China to Europe via Kazakhstan along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) increased 14-fold compared to the same period last year, The Times of Central Asia reported on August 14.
The TITR is a multimodal transport corridor connecting China and Europe, bypassing Russia, also known as the Intermediate Corridor. To develop this corridor, Kazakhstan Temir Zhol is working with other stakeholders to increase traffic volumes, improve services and speed up cargo delivery.
To date, the transport time from Altynkol station on the Kazakhstan-China border to Absheron (Azerbaijan) has been reduced to 9 days, to Poti/Batumi (Georgia) to 12 days, and to Constanta (Romania) via Poti/Batumi to 20-22 days.
Kazakhstan President calls for revival of Central Asia as a bridge between Asia and EU
On August 13, EuraActive published an article examining an opinion piece by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev titled “Central Asia's Renaissance: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity.”
President Tokayev called for Central Asia to be positioned as a bridge between Asia and Europe and as an independent regional actor in international relations.
The Kazakh president claims that the region “has served as one geopolitical and spiritual arena, endowed with abundant natural resources, rich human resources and an endless cultural and historical heritage.”
The Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – faced many challenges in modernizing and were expected to become “failed states,” but Tokayev said the countries of the region had “proven their worth” and earned their “deserved place” in the international community.
