WEEKLY REVIEW: Kazakhstan launches new stage of local government development and continues improvement of universities

"We need a system for monitoring the effectiveness of pedagogical work. We should pay attention to the psychological work in schools, " Serik Akhmetov said, speaking at the meeting of the Government.

As it has been reported today by the Minister of Education and Science Bakytzhan Zhumagulov as for the teachers' indicator of the state education program, the 2013 plan has already exceeded.

According to him, it has been two years that about 8 thousand teachers went through the new system, and they have received significant wage premium.

Minister of Education and Science Bakytzhan Zhumagulov announced at the government's session on Tuesday that the number of universities in Kazakhstan will be reduced to 100 within the following two years at the initiative of President Nazarbayev and in a move to upgrade the system of higher education.

On March 27, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev held the working session on development of southern regions of Kazakhstan, the Presidential press service reports.

Head of Presidential Administration Karim Massimov, First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Gabidulla Abdrakhimov, Mayor of Almaty city and governors of Kyzylorda, South-Kazakhstan, Zhambyl and Almaty regions took part in the session.

Nursultan Nazarbayev focused on preventing the process of de-industrialization in the areas, on the proper use of agricultural lands, the need to work actively to advance the employment programs and the development of small and medium business in the regions.

The President stressed that the authorities at all levels should thematically work with the public, responding quickly to emerging problems.

The quality of public services is expected to grow at times. In general, people complain about the formal consideration of applications for work of law enforcement and judicial authorities. Poor quality of public services and corruption cause discontent of citizens. It is necessary to change the situation radically. The main objective of public servants is to serve the people," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

In addition, the President noted that a new model of public service had been introduced in March, and therefore the necessary orders had been signed.

Finally, Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed the need to monitor flood situation in some regions by the Government, as well as thorough training in agricultural activities. Following the meeting, the Head of State has given specific instructions to improve the performance of local authorities and asked to take control of their execution.

Besides, March 27, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrissov in Oksarai Presidential Palace.

Islam Karimov noted that the initiated by the Kazakh side Treaty on strategic partnership is in-demand; it is planned to sign this document during the future visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Uzbekistan scheduled on June 2013.

In addition, Head of Uzbekistan touched upon the theme of integration in the Central Asian region for current threats countermeasures and some points of bilateral cooperation. Head of the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan is expected to get familiarized with the historical sites of Tashkent and the building of the Kazakh Embassy in Uzbekistan under construction.

On Thursday, March 28, Deputy Prime Minister Kairat Kelimbetov took part in a plenary session of the Kazakh-Russian intergovernmental commission on Baikonur Complex.

Leaders of the Kazakh-Russian intergovernmental commission noted the importance of the newly created intergovernmental commission in the operation and future joint use of the Baikonur launch site and Baikonur city.

Following the plenary session co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission on the Baikonur complex Igor Shuvalov and Kairat Kelimbetov agreed the protocol of the first meeting of the Commission. The sides confirmed the need to improve the legal framework for the Baikonur complex in the interests of the two countries under conditions of the complex's leasing.

The Commission paid special attention to the instructions of the presidents of the two countries to develop a roadmap for joint use of the complex. The sides also agreed to implement the project of Baiterek space missile complex using rocket "Zenit".

On Friday, March 29 Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov has received Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Kazakhstan Oleg Demin, Kazinform refers to the press service of the Kazakh Prime Minister's website.

The sides exchanged their views on further strengthening of Kazakh-Ukraine relations.

Serik Akhmetov noted the dynamic of bilateral cooperation development and expressed himself in favor of expanding ties in trade, economical, cultural, humanitarian fields. According to him, there is a required potential and all necessary conditions have been created.

In turn, the Ukraine Ambassador stressed interest of the Ukrainian side in all-round interstate cooperation development. In addition, preparation of the Prime Minister's future visit to Ukraine on April 4-5 this year was taken into consideration at the meeting.

Besides, as part of his official visit to Tajikistan the Kazakh Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrissov took part in the 11th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Dialogue in Asia (Council of Foreign Ministers) on March 29 in Dushanbe.

Key objectives of the Dialogue such as promotion of mutually beneficial economic collaboration in Asia as well as the expansion of trade and strengthening the region's competitiveness in the world market coincide with the objectives of the economization of foreign policy, put forward before the Foreign Ministry by the Head of State. Participation in the Council of Foreign Ministers has become fruitful addition to the meetings of Y. Idrissov within his Central Asian tour, during which he discussed the issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation with the leadership of the region.