ASTANA, Sept 24 (THE GLOBE)
�Whether we want or not, but we have to say that there is not an integration, but disintegration,� the President of Kazakhstan announced on September 24 in Astana, evaluating problems of the CIS and the Customs Union.
Nursultan Nazarbaev said that talking with chairmen of the Customs unions, they had come to conclusion that the Commonwealth of Independent States, �an institute of our co-operation was unfortunately getting more amorphous.� In his opinion, to make CIS countries closer, first of all it is required to make their economies closer.
�Facts prove that only for the first half of a year the trade turnover of the Caucasus republics inside CIS has reduced by 40%, between Russia and Byelorussia � by 40%, with Uzbekistan � by 25%, with Kazakhstan � by 20%. Since 1991 the mutual turnover (export-import) has reduced almost by 70%, the President of Kazakhstan stated. He said that at the present time out of three thousand documents approved by CIS, only 5 to 10% were being fulfilled.
�The entrance of Kyrgyzstan to the World Trade Organisation created a big problem for the states of the Customs Union,� the Kazakhstan President believes. As WTO makes states open their internal markets and import foreign products without any limits, though these products are cheaper and more qualitative, this leads to stoppage of our enterprises. Buying these products, CIS states create working places in foreign countries.
�Kyrgyzstan should approve conditions of the Customs Union issued by the �Five states.� Then the next phase will be closing of borders (it does not mean �an iron curtain�, I just mean the customs frontiers).
At the same time the President of the republic positively evaluated the results of the tariffs work of the Customs Union. �Russia, Kazakhstan and Byelorussia agreed on tariffs of 60% of their products. I think, today 60% is a great deed. During next meetings they agreed on another 10%, i.e. we are approaching to 100% index (products will have the same tariffs, taxes, etc.).
The President expressed his confidence that the heads of the governments would find a way-out and will prove that �the integration is real and the union is becoming good for all states, and especially for our producers.�
ASTANA, Sept 24
(THE GLOBE)
The only document signed by the PMs of the Customs Union on September 24 in Astana was the document on co-operation in the field of peaceful development of the space.
�We want the space co-operation to be absolutely real, that is why we decided to improve it to avoid any unclear issues for both parties,� Vladimir Putin, the head of the Russian government announced.
�As far as the Baikonur agreements are concerned, the agreement is ready. The only thing to be settled is the commercial problem, but the commercial document will be signed soon,� Nurlan Balgimbaev, the head of the Kazakhstan government declared.
Vladimir Putin believes that the relations between Kazakhstan and Russia did not sharpen after the accident with Proton rocket-carrier. �The Kazakhstan party actively protected its national interests. I think if Russia had been in the same situation, it would have done the same,� the Russian Prime Minister assured.
As far as the agreement on leasing Baikonur space vehicle launching site is concerned, according to the Kazakhstan Prime Minister, no changes have been supplemented to the document. Russia is fulfilling its obligations on leasing of Baikonur, he said.
�Kazakhstan grants �Baikonur� to Russia and takes part in the scientific-technical work,� Mr. Putin stated. In his opinion, the Kazakhstan share in both the intellectual and commercial work will increase.
�Here we have the ecological problem, probably, it is quite right that the Kazakhstan party pays attention to this aspect of our mutual activity,� he stated.
Yuryi Koptev, the general director of the Russian Aviation-Space Agency commented for THE GLOBE the words of the Russian PM regarding the commercial aspect. According to Mr. Koptev, Kazakhstan cannot get more than US$ 115 million for the leasing of Baikonur. He said that the situation might change if the country realise joint projects. In particular, he mentioned the project on usage of the airdrome remained after Buran rocket.
Issues regarding establishment of the satellite communication, which is supposed to work for the Asian-Pacific region, were also discussed.
�We will be glad to realise these projects, and, naturally they will be the basis of the receiving any additional financial means. But according to the well-known law, to receive anything it is required to invest something. If the parity investment system is created, naturally, at a definite stage of realisation of these projects we will gain profit. This is what our Prime Minister meant,� he concluded.
Almaty, Sept 27 (THE GLOBE)
More than 300 companies from 35 countries of the World are expected to participate at the annual exhibition on oil and gas, KIOGE�99, said organizers of the international exhibition in Alamty on Monday.
More than 15000 invitations to attend an exhibition have been distributed. The event to be held in the exhibition center Atakent on October 5 to 8.
Along with such �giants� of oil business as Chevron, Mobil, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, several new companies which came to Kazakhstan only this year will also participate.
On the occasion of 100 anniversary of Oil of Kazakhstan, the exhibition company ITE Group together with Iteca which is its exclusive partner in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, have prepared a number of special events and proposals for the participants and guests of exhibition. In the course of the special conference on oil and gas scheduled in the framework of the exhibition the strategy of development of relations of Kazakhstan with the World community in energy field in the coming century is to be discussed as well such global issues as investments in the region and environmental problems. Specially for participation in the exhibition and attending the conference the governmental and ministerial delegations of Iran, Turkey and Russia arrive.
It should be noted that this year there are more Kazakhstani participants and those of joint ventures at the exhibition.
The organizers prepared a big holiday to all participants in KEOGE�99. In the event framework the exhibitions of the best Kazakhstani artists, concerts, competitions and also thematic workshops to be held.
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