The Head of State, speaking at the Forum in front of “Political Joint Activity for Closer Cooperation" round table participants, stressed that the idea of President Xi Jinping to reactivate the ancient Silk Road in Eurasia in a new, modern format is a timely response to the increased political, economic and humanitarian world crises.
- Paternalism and use of politically motivated sanctions have worsened economic activity and the lives of millions of people. As a result, the world economy and trade in recent years have shown a sluggishness and decline. In these conditions, the world began to badly need a new driver to stimulate international cooperation, the President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the initiative "One Belt and One Road" allows forming a new geo-economic paradigm; and the countries with a total population of 4.4 billion people will benefit from its successful implementation.
The Head of State separately focused on the strong aspects of the new model of regional cooperation "One Belt and One Road".
The proclaimed approach "stability through joint development" is currently an attractive form of international cooperation reflecting the economic interests of dozens of countries. In this connection, at present, when certain contours of the Silk Road are visible, a joint strategic coordination of this macro-regional cooperation is necessary. The Silk Road Initiative actualization also lets localize whole regions from a new angle, including Central Asia in a global context, the President of Kazakhstan noted.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that Central Asia had regained its strategic values, becoming the main bridge between the world's largest markets.
In addition, the President of Kazakhstan noted the important role of the Eurasian Economic Union in that process.
- The idea of creating a single economic space of "Great Eurasia" gives a sense of purpose. The Silk Road Economic Belt can advantageously link the platforms of the SCO, the EEU and the European Union into a single regional prosperity area, the Head of State said.
In his speech Nursultan Nazarbayev has suggested a number of concrete steps to actualize "One Belt and One Road" Initiative.
- To effectively develop the growing transit potential of the Silk Road Economic Belt, it is necessary to consistently facilitate the commodity flows by improving the level of service and removing administrative barriers, where Kazakhstan takes meaningful steps. This requires expertise and appropriate funding. I believe that the Asian Bank of Infrastructure Investments needs to actively finance such programs: they are investments in the future, the President of Kazakhstan said.
In addition, the Head of State stressed the importance of developing agricultural cooperation with a view to ensuring food security of the countries along the New Silk Road.
Nursultan Nazarbayev has also proposed to concentrate on closer cooperation in the sphere of innovative and scientific and technological growth.
- There is a good reason to consider issues of consolidated financing of projects, establishment of research and development centers, technology transfer, innovative companies and venture funds. In this context, I would like to draw attention to the initiative of Kazakhstan’s scientists to establish the International the Silk Road Academy of Sciences. At the same time, it is significant to go for complex environmental issues, including the problem of rational management of water resources of intracontinental transboundary rivers, which can be transport corridors, the President of Kazakhstan said.
In conclusion, the Head of State underscored the significance of mutual trust between the countries involved, their willingness for full-fledged and all-round cooperation for the successful development of "One Belt and One Road" Initiative.
