Mr. Barlybay Sadykov was appointed as Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia in July 2019. Prior to his appointment, he was Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan and Bangladesh. In 27 years of diplomatic service, he was posted in Rome, Geneva, New York. Currently, he is the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Amb. Barlybay Sadykov had an icebreaking mass media appearance with The Ethiopian Herald at the premise of EPA headquarters. Experts!
Herald: Your Excellency, the Embassy of Kazakhstan was opened in Addis-Ababa quite recently – in 2014. How many embassies Kazakhstan has in Africa and what is the main focus of your embassy here?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Expanding relations with Africa is important direction of foreign policy of Kazakhstan. My country became an observer-state in the African Union in November 2013. Opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Addis Ababa – the political capital of Africa and location of African Union Headquarters – in December 2014 was a momentous event and a clear message about country’s interest both for comprehensive cooperation with the AU and enhancing bilateral cooperation with African countries.
In 2015, we have opened Embassy in South Africa. Our Embassy in Egypt has been functioning since 1992. We enjoy excellent relations with all African countries and appreciate their growing role in the world politics and economy. Similarity, of national positions determines our common stance within the United Nations on many important issues of international agenda. The African Free Trade Agreement opens new horizons for increasing our trade – economic and investment cooperation. We are confident that there are many opportunities to increase co-operation and expand partnerships between Kazakhstan and African countries and the AU.
Herald: Tell us about your country. Kazakhstan is a young country and what has been achieved so far during the years of independence? What are the most important issues now on the agenda in Kazakhstan?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: On 16 of December 1991 Kazakhstan proclaimed its Independence and since then has been pursuing policy of friendship and cooperation with all countries. The first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev was the main architect of internal and foreign policy of Kazakhstan and thanks to his political will and vision Kazakhstan could successfully avoid internal strife, establish friendly external relations and create favorable conditions for rapid economic development of the country. Just some statistics about what we have achieved so far: poverty has been reduced from 46, 7% in 1992 to 2.5 % in 2017; literacy rate is 99.8 % and it is one of the highest in the world; Kazakhstan is among 10 biggest oil suppliers in the world and number one in the world in uranium production and export and also one of the leading countries in the world to produce and export wheat flour; Kazakhstan is on 25th place among 193 countries in the «Doing Business» rating of the World Bank 2020 and attracted more than 350 billion USD of FDI; our foreign trade turnover in 2018 comprised $93.5bn and volume of export $62bn and import was $32 bn.
As a result of successful economic development we now put for ourselves ambitious goal to join by 2050 to the group of 30 most developed economies of the world. Kazakhstan Development Strategy 2050 envisions wide-ranging dialogue and cooperation with all countries interested in mutually beneficial partnership with Kazakhstan, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, technology, innovation and expertise.
On 12 June 2020 we will mark one year of election of a new President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev voluntarily relinquished his powers after serving 30 years as the Head of State. It is important that Kazakhstan carried out the transfer of power in a calm, conflict-free way, which is a powerful factor in ensuring internal stability and strengthening the international authority of Kazakhstan.
In his first State of the Nation Address in September last year President K. Tokayev put an emphasis on accelerating political reforms and improving human rights and the quality of life. He set out the ambition of a truly modern state which is both accountable and responsive to the needs of its citizens. His intention is to build up a state that listens but also, what is more important, hears the voices of its citizens.
As President emphasized “My ultimate goal is to ensure that millions of my fellow countrymen benefit from large-scale reforms and enjoy inclusive society, robust economy, highquality education and advanced healthcare. Kazakhstan will not become a success story in its social-economic development unless profound political transformation is accomplished”.
The National Council of Public Confidence was established in 2019 to promote a dialogue and the exchange of views between government and civil society. Recommendations of the Council are thoroughly considered and incorporated in the laws. On May 25, 2020 President K.Tokayev signed a number of laws which are of particular importance for the county’s political life and will serve to further develop Kazakhstan’s multi-party system. These laws provide reducing the threshold for registering political parties from 40,000 to 20,000 members, and introducing a 30 percent quota for women and youth in the Parliament and local executive bodies, procedure for organizing and conducting peaceful assemblies in Kazakhstan. This latest political effort was taken to facilitate the process of creation and registration of new political parties and to lower registration hurdles for their creation, organizing peaceful meetings. The laws also provide additional opportunities for the youth and for women to take an active role in politics.
President K.Tokayev also proposed a major reshuffle of the nation’s education system focusing on the development of human capital. Kazakhstan plans to build 800 new schools with more than 650,000 seats, 114 boarding schools that will support rural schools, and more than 700 gyms. Salaries for teachers and university professors will be increased, branches of leading foreign universities will open at the Kazakhstan’s universities.
The government of Kazakhstan upon instructions of the President K.Tokayev takes measures to overcome economic consequences of coronavirus lockdown. Nearly US$14.2 billion will be allocated to prop up the economy, including businesses that had to close and thousands of citizens who lost their incomes. More than 4.5 million people received financial assistance of US$101, more than one million people received basic products and nearly two million citizens got their loans postponed. Kazakhstan will also allocate up to US$2.4 billion to its Employment Road Map program. Government launched a housing program and allocated US$926.7 million for this purpose from the country’s anticrisis fund. The plan for this year is to build 15 million square meters or 150,000 apartments and houses.
In fact, under the leadership of President K.Tokayev Kazakhstan entered a new era of development and our people is full of confidence in achieving highest goals as outlined in the Strategy for Development 2050.
Herald: How would you assess Kazakhstan-Ethiopian political and trade-economic relations?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia were established on September 5, 2011 through an exchange of notes. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to its relations with Ethiopia and interested in expanding cooperation in all fields. Today, political and economic contacts with Ethiopia are being further developed. The common ground is being worked out, successful and intensive search for common interests in various areas of cooperation is underway.
Kazakhstan and Ethiopia closely and fruitfully cooperated in the United Nations Security Council during 2017-2018. Similar positions of two countries on many issues of the international agenda and common challenges, such as issues of landlocked countries, combating drought and climate change, fight with terrorism and organized crime, drug trafficking etc. stipulate joint actions in these spheres.
In August 2013 delegation of the Parliament of Ethiopia and METEK paid visit to Kazakhstan and signed MOU with “Kazengeneering” and “Rompetrol” company on exchange of information on potential spheres of cooperation. In September 2013 I visited Addis Ababa as a Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and had a meeting with the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Tedros Adhanom. We discussed perspectives of cooperation, including opening of our Embassy and mutual support for UNSC 2017-2018.
In December 2013 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Y. Idrissov paid a visit to Addis Ababa. During the meetings with the President Mulatu Toshome, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessaleng, FM Tedros Adhanom issues of bilateral cooperation in political, trade-economic, especially in metallurgy, chemical, oil industry, agriculture, education have been discussed.
During the meeting with President SahleWork Zewde on 15 November 2019, she noted the friendly and constructive nature of relations between the two countries and mutual interest in expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation. President expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the goals and objectives outlined by the new President K.Tokayev whom she personally knows from the joint work at the United Nations. Now we are enjoying excellent relations and we should take concrete steps to increase our cooperation in all spheres. The current level of our trade and economic cooperation does not match its potential and we have to jointly work to reveal it. Kazakhstan today is among the leading exporters of oil and oil products, metals, uranium, wheat flour, grain and Ethiopia has a lot to propose for export and we have great potential to increase our trade cooperation.
In order to give impetus to our cooperation political consultations of representatives of MOFA of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia are planned in September 2020 in NurSultan. In autumn, if the situation with coronavirus improves, we are planning to organize conference on trade and economic cooperation. Kazakhstan is the biggest land locked country and now the current Chair of the UN Group of Landlocked Developing Countries. Our Embassy jointly with Ethiopian MOFA, Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC) and UNECA is planning to organize joint event on issues of trade facilitation for such group of countries.
Herald: These days, coronavirus outbreak affected all countries in the world. What should be taken to overcome its consequences, especially in Africa?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: On 28 of May 2020 President of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev participated in a virtual high-level meeting convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, and Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness to address the economic emergency stemming from the coronavirus outbreak in developing countries.
President K. Tokayev spoke on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries. The group includes 32 nations – 16 in Africa, including Ethiopia, the largest LLDC with regard to its population. As President K.Tokayev underlined “The pandemic crisis has put at risk the development gains of all countries. The LLDC is among the worst hit by severely tightened external financing, disrupted trade, supply chains, and investment flows. The international community must therefore engage in inclusive multilateralism to ensure that no country is left behind and that the 2030 SDG agenda is implemented,”
He urged the international community to gear up their effort to address the growing external debt of developing countries, debt relief, enhancing food security, and transition to green and modern agro technologies, among other measures and noted Kazakhstan’s contribution to the UN Global Plan on Humanitarian Responses. “Kazakhstan is capable of contributing to global efforts in the key sectors of food security, mediation and conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
In fact, his appeal echoes what Primeminister of Ethiopia A. Ahmed voiced in his address earlier to the leaders of G20 and other developed countries to take concrete measures to assist developing countries in Africa to overcome consequences of coronavirus outbreak.
Herald: Do you find something common between the two countries in terms of social values?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Multiethnicity and multi-confessionalism are what make our countries look alike. Representatives of more than 130 ethnic groups and nationalities professing 18 faiths live in Kazakhstan in peace and harmony. Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Germans, Hungarians, Poles, Koreans, Turks, Jews, Azerbaijanis and representatives of many other nationalities make up our multinational family.
May 31 in our country is marked as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression. During the period of Stalinist repressions, hundreds of thousands of people were exiled to Kazakhstan. In this period, regardless of nationality and faith, the Kazakhs helped those in need. The traditions and values of the Kazakh people are focused on good neighborliness and interaction of all ethnic groups of the country.
The main principle of state national policy is the friendly interaction of ethnic groups and faiths on the principles of mutual respect and mutual responsibility, while maintaining their uniqueness and traditions. In 1992 the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a unique body for the implementation of state national policy, was established. Representatives of all nationalities are represented in the Assembly and participate in the activities of the supreme legislative body of the country — the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Newspapers and magazines, television and radio, theaters and cultural centers, teaching in schools in their native languages in places of compact residence of certain nationalities is the norm of our lives. On a three-year basis, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is held in Kazakhstan. The experience of our country on issues of interfaith and interethnic regulation is highly appreciated by the international organizations and we are ready to share it with all countries.
Herald: What kind of programs and mechanisms has your country to provide assistance to developing countries?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Kazakhstan has moved from being a recipient of aid to being a provider of humanitarian assistance. Kazakhstan practically contributes to humanitarian efforts around the world, including in Africa. Our financial contributions to combat Ebola, made to the African Union Support Fund to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), as well as to the United Nations Ebola MultiPartner Trust Fund (UN Ebola MPTF) demonstrated our commitment, in the face of this major health challenge, to help build Africa’s security and stability.
The Government of Kazakhstan launched in 2015 a program of courses in the field of oil and gas industry, agriculture and medicine for a number of African countries. The Partnership Program provided training, internships, field trips and workshops at the leading educational institutions in Kazakhstan. More than hundred students from African states visited Kazakhstan to join this program.
Kazakhstan has also supported a joint project of the United Nations, African Union and CARICOM to commemorate victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade for the purpose of prevention of racism and racial discrimination. Allocation of money to this project was Kazakhstan’s message to the international community, reflecting its hopes for the better future for the humanity and commitment to the individual freedom, tolerance, respect for human dignity and human rights.
We are now establishing our own development agency – KazAID – which will focus on both financial assistance and knowledge transfer. Kazakhstan deployed in the past military observers to three UN peacekeeping missions in Africa based in Western Sahara, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia. These are just some examples of the very real efforts and contributions we are making to development, peace and security around the world.
Herald: What is the future of KazakhEthiopian cooperation in utilizing qualified human potential?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Assistance in the training of Ethiopian personnel in the educational institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan could become an important area of bilateral cooperation. It should be noted here that in the 1980-1990s Kazakhstan trained qualified personnel for African countries. We need to renew the good tradition of the past so that Ethiopian students have the opportunity to study in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan seeks to actively develop international cooperation in the field of education, having for this a broad legal base and participating in many international and regional agreements. In fact, our country is being formed into an educational hub for the Central Asian region and beyond.
The proportion of foreign students in higher education is growing, including those studying on a commercial basis. Students from Asia, Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa study in Kazakhstan. In terms of training areas, the number of foreign students prevails in “Education”, “Technical sciences and technologies”, “Health and social welfare” and “Social sciences, economics and business”. Kazakh universities are open to students from Ethiopia and I am sure they will receive a worthy education for the successful implementation of their plans.
Herald: Soon there will be a year since you arrived in Ethiopia. How do you find the country and its people and what are your wishes?
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: I admire Ethiopia’s tremendous success in many areas of life. Ethiopia is one of the leaders in Africa in terms of the volume of attracted FDI and continues to maintain global leadership in terms of economic growth. The country launched its first own satellite of the Earth and a program of digitalization of the economy, set a Guinness record by planting 350 million trees in one day.
The country’s leadership, headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has embarked on the implementation of cardinal political and economic reforms. Practical steps have been taken to resolve the conflict with Eritrea, as well as peacemaking efforts to promote peace in Somalia, South Sudan. For his contribution to strengthening peace and security, Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
The adoption of new laws in the investment and other economic fields, the active development of transit transport routes, including transnational and intercontinental, the development of infrastructure, inspire confidence in the achievement of plans to turn the country into one of the most economically and industrially developed countries in the Horn of Africa, into a new production center of Africa. Terms such as “space technology”, “digital solutions”, “nuclear industry” are becoming as familiar in Ethiopia as in developed countries. I have great respect for the people of Ethiopia – the keeper of a rich and ancient culture. Ethiopians are a very strong and kind people who managed not only to defend their independence, but also resilient to the difficulties that arise in life. People are always friendly, smiling and willing to help.
I am optimistic about the future of Ethiopia and would like to wish the friendly Ethiopian people further success in achieving their goals.
Herald: Thank you for your cooperation.
Amb. Barlybay Sadykov: Thank you. I look forward to work with the Ethiopian media.
The Ethiopian herald June 9,2020
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER & AMBO MEKASSA
