Cooperation of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
January 19, 1992 – diplomatic relations were established;
October, 1992 – Embassy of Great Britain in Kazakhstan opened;
February, 1996 – Embassy of Kazakhstan in Great Britain opened;
Since January, 2008 K.Abusseitov is Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Great Britain;
Since October, 2009 David Moran is Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Great Britain in Kazakhstan.
Political relations
For years of independence the countries have established and consistently develop constructive political dialogue. Republic Kazakhstan and United Kingdom positions coincide on the majority of issue of the world politics. Forward development of bilateral political and economic cooperation between two countries is maintained by summit meeting talks.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbaev has visited the United Kingdom visits on four occasions. Queen Elizabeth II has awarded the President N.Nazarbaev with the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in acknowledgement of his merits for ensuring political and economic stability, setting law and democracy in Kazakhstan, non-proliferation of the nuclear weapons, and also for achievement of considerable progress in mutual relations.
The following members of the royal family called on Kazakhstan with visits – the successor of the British throne Prince Charles of Wales (1996), Princess Anna (1993), the Duke of Gloucester (2000), Prince Andrew – the Duke of York, the special representative of Great Britain on trade and investments (2003 and 2006-2007), and also Prince Michael in September, 2009.
On January 27-28, 2010 State Secretary-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev took part in International Conference on Afghanistan in London and delivered the speech as a Chairman in Office of OSCE at the Royal Institute of International Affairs “Chatham House”.
On February 25-26, 2010 as part of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in OSCE the Embassy of Kazakhstan in London organized at Cambridge University a briefing “Foreign Policy of Kazakhstan”.
On July 16-17, 2010 Deputy Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain David Lidington took part in the informal meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Almaty.
On December 1-2, 2010 Deputy Prime-Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain Nick Clegg took part in the OSCE Summit in Astana.
On November 29 - December 12, 2010 Embassy of Kazakhstan held a seminar “The new architecture of European security in the frame work of OSCE” at the Central Asia Forum at the Cambridge University in connection with the completion of Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship.
Inter-parliamentary relations
Cooperation between legislative bodies is important part of the bilateral strategic partnership of Kazakhstan and Great Britain. 2010 has been noted by the further activization of inter-parliamentary contacts. Since 2001 all-party group on cooperation with Kazakhstan officially operates in the Parliament of Great Britain. It is headed by a member of Chamber of Lords of Viscount Waverley since 2009.
On February 8, 2010 there were hearings of deputies in support of presidency of Kazakhstan in OSCE. They noted high achievements of Kazakhstan in realization of economic and democratic reforms.
On February 21-23, 2010 parliamentary delegation headed by Lord Waverley paid working visit Kazakhstan for signing the memorandum of understanding. Delegation had the meeting with Mr K.Tokaev Chairman of the Senate of Parliament, Mr K.Zhigalov Deputy Minister of foreign affairs and Mr S.Temirbolatov head of inter-parliamentary group of the Parliament.
On May 3-11, 2010 parliamentary delegation of Kazakhstan headed by Mr A.K.Ahmetov chairman of the Committee on the international relations, defence and security of the Senate of the Parliament paid visit to Great Britain. In July 2010 Ambassador K.Abuseitov had the meeting with inter-parliamentary group of British Parliament.
On July 22-26, 2010 Lord Waverley paid an official visit to Kazakhstan within the framework of realization of the signed memorandum. Members of British Parliament had the meeting with prominent representatives of political and business circles of Kazakhstan.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
2010 was no less active in terms of promotion of business projects and the implementation of the earlier agreements. Britain still retains its status as a major trading partner, as a single country, as well as a member of the EU. With the adoption in June 2009, the EU Strategy for partnership with the countries of Central Asia, both countries have an additional channel to realize its interests, including trade-economic.
Foreign Trade of Kazakhstan with Great Britain in 2010
Trade turnover. The dynamics of foreign trade of Kazakhstan and the UK showed a tendency to increase. So, in January-December 2010, trade turnover between the two countries amounted to 2104 144.0 million dollars, which is 46,3% higher compared to the same period of the last year (1 438.84 million). The balance of trade remains positive and amounts to 494.4 million. A major factor was the increasing rate of growth in commodity prices.
Exports. According to statistical data, during the period of January-December 2010 exports from Kazakhstan to the UK amounted to 1,379,479.0 million dollars, which is 50,7% higher than the same period of the previous year ($ 915 million). The main products exported by Kazakhstan in the UK are:
- Refined copper - 45,2% (493.77 million dollars);
- Crude oil - 33.0% (360.57 million dollars);
- Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals - 16,7% (181.86 million dollars);
Import. During January-December 2010 imports from Britain to Kazakhstan amounted to 724,668.0 million dollars, which is 38,6% more than the same period of the previous year (523.8 million dollars). The main products imported to Kazakhstan from the UK are:
- Aircraft - 49.1% (292.9 million dollars, or 6 pieces);
- Cars - 2,1% (12,7 million dollars, or 469 pieces).
- Other articles of ferrous metals - 1,9% (11,1 million dollars).
The volume of direct investments. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan for the first 9 months of 2010, gross inflows of investment from the UK amounted to 3,290.3 million dollars, including direct investments - 814.4 mln.
The main areas of investment are: the financial sector, mining industry, manufacturing, services related to real estate, renting, business services, trade, repair of motor vehicles, construction, transport and communication, public administration, education, health and social services (sectors order is in accordance with the investments’ volume).
There are 453 joint Kazakh-British companies registered in Kazakhstan, 162 enterprises of which are with equity participation of foreign investors. London remains an attractive centre for the public offering of securities and investment for Kazakh issuers. 8 companies from Kazakhstan made a listing on the main market and 4 companies joined the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). More than a dozen Kazakh companies have placed their shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), while two of them are listed in the 100 largest companies “FTSE 100”: a copper giant Kazakhmys, which quotes for the year increased by 23% and the “Eurasian Group” ENRC, whose shares rose during the year by 15%.
Kazakh-British Trade and Industry Council (KBTIC) is an effective mechanism for the development of economic cooperation. Since 1993 there were fourteen meetings of KBTIC.
June 16, 2010 KBTIC held its 14th meeting in London. Kazakhstan part of the Council was headed by the first deputy prime minister U.Shukeyev. The British side was headed by Deputy Chairman of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Board Sir John Stuttard. The agenda included issues on trade and economic cooperation, prospects of cooperation in healthcare, finance, small and medium enterprises, tourism and sport, education and technical training, as well as public-private partnership. The regular KBTIC 15th meeting was agreed to hold in 2011 in Astana.
June 15-17, 2010 London hosted the International Forum “Kazakhstan: new Horizons of Growth / Kazakhstan Growth Forum”, which was attended by about 300 representatives of private and public institutions, international organizations and journalists.
The program of 2010 attraction and development of investments in natural resources sector was of a biggest interest. Key projects such as Kashagan and Karachaganak, the construction of new pipelines, the problem of local content and construction of oil and gas infrastructure were part of the agenda. The program also included the issues of mining and metals companies, development of chemical and petrochemical industries in Kazakhstan.
October 20-21, 2010 London hosted Kazakh business forum. The forum participants emphasized the transit potential of Kazakhstan between East and West, focusing on discussion of the energy sector, nuclear engineering, law, development of small and medium-sized businesses, the banking sector, agriculture.
At the end of the forum of the international broadcasting company CNBC held a round table with participation of NWF Samruk-Kazyna CEO K. Kelimbetov, Vice Minister of Economic Development and Trade K.Bishimbaev EBRD, Managing Director O.Descamps, an independent director of Samruk-Kazyna Sir R.Evans and independent advisor to the National Welfare Fund of Kazakhstan M.Favale-Tarter.
December 6, 2010 Embassy jointly with Windsor Energy Group (WEG) held a roundtable with participation of co-chairman of the KBTIC Sir John Stuttard, WEG Director Ian Walker, Director of Energy and Climate Change of the UK Foreign Office Harriet Mathews, and the representatives of Shell, BG, Exxon Mobil, Nomura, Barclays Capital, Norton Rose, Tethys, Invensys companies. Participants discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, as well as issues of the investments security, lack of local expertise to ensure local content in Kazakhstan.
Cooperation in the sphere of culture, science and education
On March 9, 2010 Kazakhstan Center was officially opened within the Central Asian Forum of Cambridge University. Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan and Central Asian Forum was signed.
On March 10, 2010 Forum organized a round table discussion on “The development of alternative and traditional energy in the context of the development of relations between Europe and Asia” attended by Ambassadors of Central Asia countries accredited to the UK.
In the fall 2010 the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and the Institute of Oriental Studies after R.Suleimenov signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The British side is particularly interested in contemporary Islam development in Central Asia region.
On March 22, 2010 the Embassy together with the British-Kazakh Society held a reception to celebrate the national holiday of Nauruz. The Ambassador and the Chairman of BKS, MP Lord Fraser made a speech congratulating the gathered audience.
Also the Consulate of Kazakhstan in Aberdeen (Scotland) organized the celebration of Nauruz for Kazakh students, representatives of the British oil and gas companies operating in Kazakhstan and accredited diplomatic missions in Scotland.
On April 6-7, 2010 in Aberdeen, the week of Kazakh cinema took place for the very first time. It was organized by the Consulate and the Association of Kazakh students of the University of Aberdeen. Among the featured works were “Nomads”, “The Gift to Stalin”, “Mustafa Chokay”, “Goodbye, Gyulsary” and others.
On May 11-12, 2010, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK had traditionally participated in the 51st International Fair Spring Fair “World Market 2010” in London. Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra admiring the stall with the Kazakh national art and thanked Kazakhstan Embassy for a regular contribution to the charity fair.
On September 1-8, 2010 the international auction “Christie's” with the support of the Embassy organized an art exhibition “Treasures of Kazakhstan” from the State Art Museum named after A. Kasteev. The British public was introduced to the displayed collection of the museum for the first time. The event was sponsored by “Astana Group” and “Oracle Capital Group”. Among the masters, one could identify Kasteev, Kenbaev, Aitbayev, Shardenov, Petrov-Vodkin, Kalmykov, Serebryakova etc. Number of positive reviews was published in the British “Daily Telegraph”, “BBC World Service” and “Collections and Matchbox”.
On November 25, 2010 “Asia House” hosted spectacular Kazakh music evening called “Kazakh Music: Divine Song of the Steppe”. Musicians from the Kazakh National University of Arts performed a number of famous pieces of Kazakh traditional music, such as kuys by Kurmangazy, Dina Nurpeisova, Tlendiev and others. Cultural attaché of the Embassy delivered a lecture about the history of Kazakh folk instruments and the origins of national musical traditions. The evening brought together over 50 visitors.
On November 29, 2010 the Embassy arranged photo exhibition “Till the End” of Italian photographer Manuel Capurso at the Central Asian Forum of Cambridge University which was dedicated to the village life on the shores of the Aral Sea. Exhibition lasted for two weeks and was open for a wide public. In his opening speech the Ambassador told the audience most of whom were professors and students of Cambridge University about the current situation in the Aral Sea region and the measures being implemented by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to improve the ecology of the area.
On November 9-12, 2010 the Kazakh delegation headed by Chairman of the Committee of Tourism Industry of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport Mrs Kaken took part in the annual World Travel Market in London. The delegation also included the local travel agents, such as “Hotel Shymkent”, “Dostyk tour”, “Akzhol Travel”, “Turan Asia” and “Nomad club”.
