Kadam Shah Shahim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Selim Hazbievich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland, Nicolas Bruso, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada, Mikko Kivikoski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland, Alexi de Crombrugghe De Picendale, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hayti Myaemees, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic and Philippe Martine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia, have presented their credentials to the President of Kazakhstan.
Speaking to the ceremony participants, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that their diplomatic mission is at the beginning of a new period of Kazakhstan's development.
- We are embarking on implementing the Third Modernization of Kazakhstan. Ruhany Zhangyru large-scale program is becoming an integral part of the life of every citizen of Kazakhstan, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Head of the State dwelled on the results of a number of international events in Astana, which have had a positive economic and image effect on the growth of Kazakhstan. They include the international specialized exhibition EXPO-2017, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, the opening ceremony of the low-enriched uranium bank in Astana and the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Science and Technology.
Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized Kazakhstan's contribution to global peace and security as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The President of Kazakhstan stressed the country's interest in deepening trade and economic relations with international partners and dwelt on the measures taken to advance the investment climate.
- We have built the infrastructure for entering the markets of the EEU, Central Asia and China. For effective coordination, we have established the national companies like Kazakh Invest and Kazakh Export. Astana International Financial Centre, the United Nations International Centre for the Development of Green Technologies and the International Technopark of IT Startups are beginning to operate, the Head of State said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev focused on mainstreaming the political interaction of Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.
- This year we have met with Mr. Ghani at the SCO and OIC Summits. The volume of mutual trade increased to half a billion dollars, Trade Houses were opened in Almaty and Kabul. We will continue to provide technical and humanitarian assistance. Safe and sustainable development of Afghanistan is the guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity in our region, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Kazakh leader noted Kazakhstan's interest in strengthening and enhancing multifaceted cooperation with Canada.
- At the meeting with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit last year, we agreed to expand contacts in various fields. Practical implementation of those agreements was the holding of the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council in Astana this June, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan stressed that the interaction between our country and Belgium is based on the principles of mutual respect and trust.
- My working visit to Brussels in October 2014 and negotiations with His Majesty King Philip allowed exchanging views on topical issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We welcome active involvement of Belgian capital and technology in joint projects at the market of Kazakhstan, the Head of State said.
In the course of his speech, Nursultan Nazarbayev called Poland the leading partner of Kazakhstan in Central and Eastern Europe.
- I highly appreciate the results of my state visit to Warsaw in August 2016 and the return of the state visit of the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to Kazakhstan early September this year. The talks confirmed great potential of the Kazakh-Polish dialogue and gave a green light to a multitude of mutually beneficial projects, the President of Kazakhstan said.
In addition, the Head of State noted the high level of cooperation between our country and Finland.
- Traditional ties of friendship and cooperation for many years have linked our country to Finland. An important event was the opening of direct flights between Astana and Helsinki; the Green Technology Development Centre was established, and new Finnish enterprises were opened in Kazakhstan. It is necessary to ensure further implementation of the agreements at the highest and intergovernmental levels, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan stressed the mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and France.
- There are technological projects in engineering, space, metallurgy, transport and others. I will be glad to develop fruitful contacts with the French President Macron for the benefit of our nations, the Head of State said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev especially noted the progressive development of relations with Estonia.
We are ready to work on such promising areas as transport and transit, energy, communications and technology. We are counting on the assistance of Estonia’s leadership - the current chair of the European Union - in promoting the Kazakh-European partnership, the President of Kazakhstan concluded.
In conclusion, the Head of the State once again congratulated the ambassadors with the start of their responsible diplomatic service in Kazakhstan and wished them success in the forthcoming work.
