Charming steppe changing into mountains with beautiful rivers and majestic trees alongside

Alberto Moreno (The University of Madrid, Spain), Carlos Echeverría (The Open University of Madrid, Spain) who kindly agreed to answer our correspondent's questions.

What was the goal of your visit to our country?

Tatyana Dronzina: First of all it should be mentioned that we were invited to your country for the workshop regarding the problem of terrorism. Spain was not the only countries to take part in the workshop. Italy, Spain, Morocco, Israel, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and many others were participants of this conference that was financed by the NATO. The Conference took place in the Eurasian National Gumilyov University in Astana. Besides, we were invited to Kokshetau by the Kokshe Academy for assisting in establishing an optional education school. There we organized seminars and gave lectures on peaceful resolution of conflicts. Having attended several seminars and conferences we are pleasantly surprised with the knowledge of your students. It is really a deep feeling to realize that the youth, young generation is interested in learning, gaining knowledge and actually able to apply in the right direction. It speaks volumes and means that the level of education in Kazakhstan is at the level where it ideally should be because students are those who are responsible for our future.

Why is it Kazakhstan that was chosen for holding this conference on such discussed and relevant topic as terrorism?

Alberto Moreno: Kazakhstan is such a country which is really famous for its stability and merits in ensuring the peaceful atmosphere. Kazakhstan is like a bridge between Europe and Asia. Many meetings and conferences of international scale take place in Kazakhstan. The OSCE Summit scheduled for December 1-2 will be held in Astana. This is the event the meaning of which is hardly possible to overestimate. Kazakhstan is center between Europe and Asia carrying out peacekeeping mission. There are so many reasons for Kazakhstan to be chosen for hosting top-level meetings and conferences that we just can say that we trust you and deeply appreciate the efforts Kazakhstan and your President put for ensuring stability not only in the region but in regard of the entire world.

What did you think about Kazakhstan before coming here? Did your expectations come true?

Alberto Moreno: Certainly, we knew something about your country but anyway did not fully realize and imagine how fascinating Kazakhstan was. Kazakhstan is a great country taking into account the location of it from geographical point of view, true diversity of landscapes, real interethnic harmony that reigns in Kazakhstan along with astonishingly beautiful nature and 130 ethic groups that live in this country and care about it. We came to Kazakhstan several days ago and were just surprised with this country and cities of its. It is beautiful, endless and constantly moving towards perfection. I personally like it very much, we do not have such landscape in Spain therefore it is very interesting for me to see your endless steppe that truly reflects the nature of people living in Kazakhstan. It has been a short time we spent in this country but enough for admiring it. I am fond of your unique capital city; I like the way it is developing, architecture and style. Your capital, its architecture are different and similar to what we normally see in Europe and it is one more zest that you have in here drawing people's attention. I am fully satisfied with this trip, with what I have seen and I would also like to say that the results of this visit, touching upon both spheres business and social, topped my expectations.

Carlos Echeverría: I fully agree with my colleague. Kazakhstan is absolutely fascinating country and in my opinion you have great prospects in developing tourism because what I have seen here gives a right to say that the diversity of Kazakhstan is hard to overestimate is really valuable in developing this sector. Spain is one the world 'largest' in terms of number of tourist countries. More than 50 million tourists come to Spain every year. I believe that your country is capable for accepting a large number of tourists, you have well developed infrastructure which would allow conducting it at a high level. Besides, this sector of economy is the one that every country would like to have functioning beneficially. Kazakhstan has everything needed for drawing international attention and attracting people to see its beauty. It is truly charming steppe transforming into the mountains with beautiful rivers and majestic trees along side. Taking into account huge prospects of developing the sector of tourism we hope for successful cooperation between our countries in this regard. Going back to the expectations I can tell you Kazakhstan is really the country that tops all expectations. Spending these days here is a pleasure for me.

How have you spent your time here besides the work?

Alberto Moreno: We spent some time in Borovoye resort zone enjoying the view. The place is just marvelous. We had an excursion, a kind of guided tour, here in Astana, familiarized with the sightseeing of Astana.

Carlos Echeverría: True. Familiarizing with the beautiful city of Astana and enjoying the view in Borovoye I felt mesmerized with your post modern style in Astana and with so close to nature the Borovoe resort and seemingly uninhabited but majestic steppe.

Jorge Balanos: I would also like to add that we are all ready to come here back at any given time.

What have you learnt from this visit or conference that you took part in? What figuratively speaking are you taking back with you?

Alberto Moreno: I am glad to say that while the conference and being here I felt younger and inspired by the exuberant ideas expressed, by absolutely far-looking and bold plans developed. The policy and atmosphere of Kazakhstan itself make me feel rejuvenated.

Jorge Balanos: I teach the theory of peaceful conflict resolution in Granada and I have learnt from Kazakh people and from this visit how to find the harmony in the multiethnic society. Your country is a good example everyone should learn from as I do. It is absolutely special when you find the country with so many ethnic groups living in peace without conflicts and such problems as many countries have in similar situation.

At the end of the conversation our guests expressed their willingness to come back to Kazakhstan and if it was possible even live here for a while. As a reply to the jocular offer of our journalist to live in the capital Jorge Bolanos said that he would move here with pleasure. Besides, the guests said that even during that short span of time they spent in here they made friends with Kazakh people and felt sorrow inside realizing that they had to leave for their countries anyway.

Both sides wished successful cooperation in future and exchanged warm words at the end of the meeting.