The European Union and Kazakhstan have welcomed the setting up of a dialogue on visa facilitations under the EU Visa Code and have also discussed the next steps.

The next steps in the Schengen visa facilitation for citizens of Kazakhstan were discussed during the Cooperation Council between the EU and Kazakhstan meeting, which was held on October 23 in Luxembourg, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

While the Council of the EU did not reveal what the next steps will be, it is believed that the dialogue will include measures that can be introduced to facilitate the Schengen visa application for Kazakhstan citizens.

The Council confirmed that the EU and Kazakhstan are both committed to deepening and widening their cooperation. At the same time, the EU expressed strong support for the reform and modernisation process of Kazakhstan.

Marking the 30th anniversary of EU-Kazakhstan bilateral relations this year and reaching a record high in mutual trade, both parties confirmed their commitment to deepening and widening cooperation and to realising the full potential of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.EU Council

The authorities of Kazakhstan are actively pursuing negotiations with the EU to simplify Schengen visa requirements.

Earlier this month, the Interna Affairs Minister of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Sadenov, discussed with the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, Johannes Luchner, the current Schengen visa rules and required the EU to relax some of them.

Providing detailed information on the reforms that Kazakhstan has made so far, Minister Sadenov said that there will not be any migration risk if the EU facilitates the Schengen visa rules for citizens of his country.

Minister Sadenov also confirmed the readiness of Kazakhstan to begin the process of simplifying the visa application rules, stressing that Kazakhstan has already identified some requirements that can be simplified.

While Luchner did not make any comment on whether the EU will take measures to simplify the visa application process for citizens of Kazakhstan, both parties agreed to undertake a joint analysis of the visa application process and then begin a dialogue on the matter.

The authorities said back then that once the analysis is completed, they will meet again and discuss steps that can be taken in this regard.

Similar to citizens of other countries who need a Schengen visa to be allowed entry into the Schengen Area, citizens of Kazakhstan need to submit several documents on their applications.

Kazakhstan citizens need to submit the fully completed and signed visa application form, proof of having secured a place to stay, and proof of having purchased travel health insurance, among others.

Source: Schengen Visa Info

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On October 6, a delegation led by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov paid a visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The Kazakh delegation first visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor and laid flowers.

In the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) the guests laid flowers at the graves of Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. They laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

Then the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry hosted a solemn welcoming ceremony, and Azerbaijani and Kazakh Defense Ministers passed along the guard of honor. The national anthems of both countries accompanied by the military orchestra were performed. In accordance with the protocol, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov signed the “Book of Honor”.

At the expanded meeting, Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Minister emphasized that the bilateral military cooperation between the two countries is based on friendship and fraternal relations.

The Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality. The Kazakh Defense Minister congratulated his colleague on the restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan prayed Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the Shehids (Martyrs) and expressed deep condolences to their relatives.

Colonel General R. Zhaksylykov expressed satisfaction with the current state of military cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides emphasized the importance of the “Khazri-2023” Joint Tactical Exercises held in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea with the participation of warships and military personnel of the Naval Forces. The importance of the conducted exercises in terms of increasing the professionalism of servicemen was noted.

It was pointed out that the exchange of mutual experience in the army development of both countries is of special importance.

The sides discussed the development prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the military, military-technical, and military educational fields, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

In the end, the “Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2024” was signed.

After the meeting, the delegation attended the Cybersecurity Hub of the Azerbaijan Army’s General Staff, the Central Command Posts of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, and the Air Force. The visitors got acquainted with the general work done there.

Source: Azer News

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Internationally renowned violinist Aiman Mussakhajayeva visited campus from Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Oct. 3, to meet with University leadership for a conversation on cross-cultural collaboration. She is founder and rector of the Kazakh National University of Arts (KazNUA), which has a formal partnership with The Catholic University of America. 

Violin lecturer and Kazakhstan native Vladimir Dyo served as a translator for his former teacher during the wide-ranging conversation about the importance of the arts in building international bonds. They discussed with University Provost Aaron Dominguez and Vice Provost for Global Strategies Duilia de Mello opportunities for enhancing reciprocal educational initiatives between the two countries. 

Dyo is artistic director of Global Music Partnership, which brings together the world’s top musicians for creative collaboration that transcends national borders and genres. He was a driving force for the Young Talents World Festival of Performing Arts held on campus last December, which brought 20 students from KazNUA and other top music schools in Kazakhstan to campus to learn from University faculty and perform with American students. Some of the Kazakhstani students performed on classical instruments, while others played Kazakh traditional instruments.

“This visit proved to be highly inspiring for them, with many expressing interest in studying at Catholic University in the future,” said Dyo. He and other University faculty are currently planning the second winter festival to continue to foster connections. 

Representing the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at the meeting were Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Music Performance Chair Jay Brock and Art department chair and Associate Professor Jonathan Monaghan. They discussed with the delegation similarities and differences in educational models regarding training the next generation of creatives. They exchanged ideas about possible ways to build upon bonds between institutions, including a student exchange program. 

“Rector Aiman Mussakhajayeva genuinely enjoyed the atmosphere at Catholic University, the kindness, and the feeling of peace. She was very glad and honored to meet the esteemed team led by the provost and share her vision for collaboration,” said Dyo after the meeting.  

Source: Communications Catholic

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Turkmen Ambassador to Pakistan, Atajan Movlamov, and acting Pakistani Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has met to discuss the implementation of joint energy projects.

During their meeting in Islamabad, they touched upon the current state of bilateral relations and the progress of significant joint energy initiatives. Both sides expressed their readiness to enhance ties across various areas of mutual interest, as reported by the Turkmen news website Orient.tm on September 5.

The Pakistani minister lauded Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and emphasized the significance of gas pipeline projects connecting the two nations with neighboring countries like Afghanistan and India for Pakistan’s energy needs. He also underscored the importance of collaborative ventures such as TAPI (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) and TAP (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan) for Pakistan.

Earlier, on June 8, Turkmenistan and Pakistan inked a joint plan in Islamabad to expedite the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.

During a meeting with a Turkmen delegation, led by Minister of State and Chairman of the state gas company Turkmengaz, Maksat Babayev, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the Pakistani government’s commitment to hastening the completion of the TAPI gas pipeline and TAP power transmission line projects, which are pivotal in meeting the country’s energy requirements.

At the ceremony, the prime minister described TAPI as a “highly significant project” for regional prosperity and envisioned it ushering in a new era of regional cooperation. Sharif also pledged that every effort would be made to accelerate the implementation of TAPI.

In late April, Turkmenistan initiated the export of liquefied gas to Pakistan through Afghanistan’s Kandahar for the first time. Initially, 50 gas tankers were transported from Turkmenistan.

Mohammad Yunus Mohmand, the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, noted that gas had previously been transported to Pakistan through Iran. According to him, “with the resumption of power by the Islamic Emirate,” the country has emerged as a safe transit route, facilitating substantial exports in this direction.

Yasser Basir, an international firm, commenced the export of natural gas, involving 50 gas tankers, each carrying 30 tons of gas, from Turkmenistan to Kandahar. Subsequently, the gas was sent to Pakistan through the Spin Boldak land port. While the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project remains stalled, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce has confirmed the successful export of Turkmen gas from Afghanistan to Pakistan via trucks.

Once completed, the TAPI pipeline aims to connect Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and India via Afghanistan. Spanning 1,830 kilometers, the project is expected to annually deliver 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Galkynysh, the world’s second-largest gas field, to the Indian city of Fazilka, near the Pakistan border.

The Afghan segment of the pipeline will traverse from the northwest border with Turkmenistan southward through the western city of Herat and on to Kandahar, near the Pakistan border. Despite its inception in Afghanistan in 2018 while the Taliban was in conflict with the Western-backed government in Kabul, the Taliban administration has pledged its support for the project, considering it a vital component of the nation’s future economic infrastructure.

Source: Caspian News

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The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) has made developing the sport and increasing professionalism in Asia its “main goal”, inviting leaders from member nations to share their concerns and ideas here.

Representatives from China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam met with ITF leaders including newly re-elected President Paul Weiler, secretary general Tadeusz Łoboda, senior vice-president Clint Norman, vice-president Annick van Driessche, treasurer Leonardo Oros Duek and Board member Philip Learn alongside the World Championships in Tampere.

Developing the sport in Asia had been identified as a key target by German official Weiler in his re-election campaign on a closed ticket with Norman, van Driessche and Oros Duek, and outlined issues of securing Government recognition in countries where Federations associated with World Taekwondo are strong, economic issues in low-income countries and the need to increase and improve the ITF’s activities on the continent.

Each of the countries in attendance shared background on their history of taekwon-do and issues faced developing the sport.

Participants discussed plans to advance the creation of an Asian Federation, but stressed the need to work regionally within the continent due to the vast distances and cultural differences across west Asia, central Asia, south Asia, south-east Asia and east Asia.

It is hoped two of taekwon-do’s leading Asian nations in Malaysia and Uzbekistan could play a leading role in south-east and central Asia respectively.

Malaysian Taekwon-Do Federation head Najmi Abdullah is set to lead a working group as a first step towards forming a formal Continental Federation.

Polish official Łoboda explained the ITF’s ambitions and plans to support the development of taekwon-do in Asia.

“We try to organise this Federation more professionally, because we have many countries where taekwon-do exists, but the structure of this organisation is very weak or very poor,” he told insidethegames.

“People focus only on training but not on organisational matters like how to be recognised, how to receive money, how to find good sponsors for organisations.

“We try to help in their knowledge.

“We have a special department for the whole continent, and this department really helps.

“Every year, we prepare the budget to help these countries.

“Maybe this time because Malaysia is one of the most organised countries, this is a really good step for us to have a good continental organisation who can show their neighbouring countries.

“Malaysia is very close to countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, even Japan, and second leader of Asia is Uzbekistan, which is also recognised by the Ministry of Sports and Olympic Committee, and has a good structure.”

The ITF secretary general underlined that working in the various regions of Asia would be a key priority after the elections before the World Championships.

“I am happy we are doing this step especially after the election, and this is the main goal and focus for us,” Łoboda added.

“In Europe we have 38 countries very well organised with very long traditions.

“New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States have a really good level, in Argentina 100,000 people practise taekwon-do, but we need to focus on Asia and try to help them to be stronger and more professional.”

Source: Inside The Games

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AKIPRESS.COM – Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov met with President and CEO of the South Korean company Samsung C&T Oh Se-chul, UzA reported.

The parties considered the implementation of current projects and promising areas for establishing cooperation in the development of energy and industrial infrastructure, as well as the development of new projects on the principles of public-private partnership (PPP).

The company is now exploring the possibility of participating in implementing several infrastructure projects in urban development and green energy.

The sides developed a format for further interaction to work out the implementation of joint projects following the meeting.

Source: Akipress

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