Kazakhstani-German ties have potential for further development

The day before I met with Mayor of Almaty city Akhmetzhan Yessimov and I know that he is leaving for Stuttgart with a group of Almaty citizens due to several cultural events within the Year of Kazakhstan in Germany. Kazakhstan is a country with the richest cultural traditions and I am glad for Stuttgart citizens and the guests. I am sure it will be a very good program. The next year will be the Year of Germany in Kazakhstan. What events will take place in our country? A big program is being planned within the Year of Germany in Kazakhstan. Various events and activities of culture, science, education and sports are being prepared at the moment. We have a lot of ideas and suggestions, so there is no final variant of the program, but there will be a lot of events. How do you estimate mutual relations between our countries, especially in education and culture? The mutual relations between our countries are great. We have discussed the relations between Kazakhstan and Germany at the meeting with A. Yessimov and we find them positively developing in all spheres. We also think that this is not the limit, and our relations can become even better. There is a nice proverb the good is the enemy of the best. That is why I believe there is potential for further development between our countries. There is Goethe Institute in Almaty which arranges a lot of cultural events. It is a cultural center of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kazakhstan. The Institute carries out a lot of events in different spheres. Scientific conferences, round tables, scientific meetings, art and photo exhibitions, German cinema evenings and concerts are held throughout the year. We also have a big program of such events. The consulate general also takes part in these events ? we had performed three gala concerts in Almaty during nine months. Recently the well-known German violinist, who came to the last concert on behalf of the consulate, gave a master class in Kurmangazy Conservatory. We are approaching a merge in our culture and education, and all these events are very important in science. At that, the German association of the academic exchanges (DAAD) which has been working for several years in Kazakhstan plays an important role. I know that the graduates who had studied in Germany now hold senior positions in Kazakhstan. Only this year 120 Kazakhstan students received DAAD grants to pursue PhD and Master?s programs and fellowships at German institutes. Kazakhstan-German Institute in Almaty also provides assistance in these issues. How are the economic relations between our countries shaping up? I estimate the economic relations between our countries as good and close. Germany is the number one country in supply of oil and gas equipment. At present there are many medium German enterprises which invest into Kazakhstanm, such as Knauf Company which manufactures construction materials. The company possesses a big factory in Kapshagay in Almaty region and a production facility in Atyrau region. There is a German Economy Club in Kazakhstan which unites more than hundred German enterprises. I was in Astana and have visited the new Centre of Mother and Child. This modern large hospital is equipped with Siemens equipment. We pay special attention to the development of economic relations in the sphere of public health services. Germany intends assist Kazakhstan in implementation of reforms in this sphere and creation of new hospitals and clinics which Head of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev have spoken about. Thank you for the interview.