Doha, 05 Jan. 2023 (QT)

By ASHRAF SIDDIQUI

We are determined to strengthen the relations between Qatar and Kazakhstan from 2023 and beyond as both countries have laid a solid foundation for further
development in mutual cooperation, and 2022 has been a year of breakthrough in the history of Kazakh-Qatari cooperation, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar,
Arman Issagaliyev has said.

“Given our mutual desire for strong ties, I have every reason to believe that we will achieve our goals together,” he said.

Talking to Qatar Tribune, the envoy said, “Mutual desires to deepen our relations were stressed during the meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the HH the Amir’s official visit to Kazakhstan on October 12 and 13, 2022.”

The Kazakh-Qatari Investment Forum, the envoy noted, was also held during the visit where 13 bilateral agreements worth over $625 million of investments in the field of agro-industrial complex, agriculture, mining, medicine, tourism and IT were signed.

The ambassador said that both leaders had met in June in Doha on the occasion of Qatar Economic Forum, “in addition to regular telephone conversations that have become a good tradition”. “During year 2022, the leaders of Kazakhstan and Qatar met four times and held telephone talks four times. Thanks to the will of our leaders, we have confidence that there will be development of relations in all areas of cooperation,” the Kazakhstan envoy added.

“In March 2022, Qatar Airways increased its flights to four flights per week, which may further be increased to seven flights per week and extended to other cities of Kazakhstan. Moreover, the Kazakh airline ‘Fly Arystan’ plans to launch commercial flights from Astana and Almaty to Doha in January, 2023. This opens up unique opportunities for us to increase economic cooperation,” he said.

Ambassador Issagaliyev congratulated the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government and people of Qatar for their great work in hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022.

He said the mega world event was very well-coordinated with developed infrastructure, local hospitality and traditions, which made it the safest, most memorable and most comfortable tournament.

“Thanks to the beautiful opening and closing ceremonies, cultural events, mass celebrations, concerts, unforgettable shows, as well as excellent organisation, the
FIFA World Cup 2022 was described as the best in the history of football,” he said.

Talking about mutual trade and investment plans, the envoy said that a number of Qatari companies have already begun their team building in the Pearl of Kazakhstan – the city of Almaty. “Kazakhstan is already exporting meat products to the Qatari market since 2021. We are also working on the supply of other agricultural products, which will significantly increase the indicators of trade turnover,” he said.

Kazakhstan, he noted, is actively working to create the most favourable conditions for Qatari investors in addition to some investment projects already in the pipeline. “Kazakhstan considers Qatar as one of the most important partners in the Arab world. The current volume of trade between the two countries also has prospects for increasing and growth,” he stressed.

He said although a failed violent coup in January 2022 created further doubts if Kazakhstan would be able to recover, the government has assured the global community of quick recovery with firm commitments to reform, democratization and further protection of human rights.

“After the national referendum in June, we carried out constitutional reforms that brought new democratic values to our governance, including limited powers of the president, a more influential parliament, an independent Constitutional Court, the creation of new political parties, direct elections of akims and other important measures,” the envoy said.

He added that fair and transparent presidential elections in November 2022 under the new Constitution gave a term of seven years to all future heads of state, including the current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who will also serve one sevenyear term without the right to re-election.

“By the end of 2022, we were able to keep our promises in addition to demonstrating resilience and stability. We have transformed our country through significant political and socio-economic initiatives, a prosperous society, and more dynamic and competitive political system,” he said.

“In such dire situation, Kazakhstan met its responsibilities towards building the country’s relations with the world, which can be witnessed from hosting of Vl Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA) in October, Kazakh-Qatari Investment Forum; Summit between heads of Central Asian states with the President of the European Council Charles Michel; Vll Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions participated by Pope Francis and over 100 delegations from 50 countries. Pope Francis visit was the first visit of head of the Catholic Church to Kazakhstan since Pope John Paul 11 in 2001.

Moreover, we hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose state visit to Kazakhstan was the first foreign trip after the COVlD-19 pandemic,” he said.