? Nazarbayev Center establishes international links | Home
Author: admin | 15 Oct 2012
Oct 12. Kazpravda
By Sergey Kharchenko, Doctor of Political Sociology
In Italy, the XIV Congress of the World Association of the Russian language Press was held, attended by RK media. Here is the interview with Kazakhstan Ambassador to Italy Andrian Elemesov.
- Mr. Elemesov, what are the political relations with Italy today?
- For two decades, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has been based on partnership and mutual interests. The sides reached a political consensus for further strengthening of bilateral relations in all areas. In terms of foreign policy, the positions of Astana and Rome coincide on many important issues, including Asian security. The official Rome supports efforts on rapprochement of Kazakhstan with the European institutions. The most important event was the official visit of the RK President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the Italian Republic in 2009, which resulted in signing of five bilateral interstate and intergovernmental agreements, on Strategic Partnership including.
- How does it work in practice?
- I would like to note the RK President?s contribution to development of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Italy. September 12, the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano met with N. Nazarbayev on the occasion of handing credentials.
Recently, in the Italian Parliament, a large presentation of the Customs Union of Kazakhstan - Russia - Belarus was held. After this meeting, interest in our country has increased considerably.
I am proud of the fact that Kazakhstan enjoys respect in the highest circles of Italy. I believe that the relationship between Astana and Rome will keep developing. Recently a meeting with Italian MP Riccardo Migliore, the President of the OSCE PA was held. After this interview I have an important meeting with Silvio Berlusconi, who has long-established warm and friendly relations with Nursultan Nazarbayev.
- As a person and as a diplomat, how do you assess the socio-economic situation in Europe?
- Europe is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in history: declining GDP, rising unemployment. The situation in Italy remains difficult. In the first half of 2012, the volumes of production in the country decreased by 7% compared to the same period in 2011. And the unemployment rate was the highest since 1999 - almost 11%. Italy?s position is more complicated due to external factors: the risk of default in Greece and the problem of insolvency in Spain. The work of the so-called technical government of Italy gives good results. However, the global financial crisis is felt in any Italian city, shop, restaurant. Besides, the mentality of the people is changing. But this year, improvement in economy and in social area is obvious. A positive role in this improvement was played by the holiday season: the number of tourists has increased slightly, that is resulted in decrease of unemployment.
- What are the economic relations between the two countries?
- Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Italy is third after China and Russia. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the total amount of Italian investments since 1994 has reached about 6 billion USD, Kazakhstan investments - more than 1,5 billion USD. At present about 100 Italian companies are working in KZ. Cooperation develops in all areas: mining, energy, food and light industries, consumer goods production, agriculture, delivery of Italian equipment and technology to RK and export of hard wheat flour to Italy.
- How can the Italians help us in industrial-innovative development?
- We are currently working on expansion of delivery of modern Italian technologies to various sectors of Kazakhstan economy. In particular, Italian engineers offer ideas on installation of the city lights that turn on and off automatically. Kazakhstan businessmen from Karaganda study Italian technology for cheese and other dairy foods production and recently they visited Italy for that. New technologies must be adopted and introduced in Kazakhstan. There are many mutually beneficial ideas and offers for entrepreneurs.
- What do you think of public diplomacy?
- I am ?for? public diplomacy. The more citizens from different countries communicate, the better economic and political relations between the states. Public diplomacy has a number of advantages over state diplomacy. It is the sincerest form of cooperation, and it binds people. It also bears fruit: people learn about wealth, culture and traditions of other countries, especially now, when Kazakhstan starts investing overseas, including Italy.
- What interesting things should we expect from development of cultural relations between Italy and Kazakhstan?
- I will do my best to boost cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy in all directions, including cultural, humanitarian areas. Next year we are planning a big project with a famous composer Ennio Morricone. Now we are preparing a series of films of Kazakhstan film-makers with subtitles in Italian to be run in different Italian cities, hosting the Week of Kazakh cinema. Universities of the two countries are closely cooperating: many students from Kazakhstan continue their master degrees in Italy. Thus, national and political diplomacy keep pace with each other.
http://www.kazpravda.kz/c/1350035442
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Source: http://kazworld.info/?p=24717
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