Kazakhstan-Germany: 25 years of cooperatio

Dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federative Republic of Germany as well as the 5th anniversary of the Center for German Studies, the International Relations Department has conducted an event entitled: "Kazakhstan - Germany: 25 yeas of cooperation: foreign policy, diplomacy and bilateral relations".

The event was attended by the first representatives of different German and Kazakhstani institutions that have built close cooperation with the International Relations Department.

 The greeting words were given to the executive Head of the Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Almaty, Dudar Zhakenov who presented a report on the Germany's role in building bilateral relations between two states.

The General Consul of the Federative Republic of Germany in Almaty Jorn Rosenberg gave a detailed description of the "General directions of the cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federative Republic of Germany". The Federal Republic of Germany approved the independence of Kazakhstan on December 31, 1991. Germany is considered as one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kazakhstan on February 11, 1992. As a result, two mentioned countries rapidly established inter-state dialogue and cooperation on the international arena, the broad development of relations, the conclusion of a basic agreement on the foundations of relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federal Republic of Germany on September 22, 1992, as well as the formation of legal base for bilateral relations. General Consul J.Rosenberg emphasized the growing potential for deepening relations including the sphere of high education. Germany, being a country with free high education offers Kazakhstani students a big range of scholarships for different majors mainly on behalf of its oldest institution - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). J.Rosenberg, Economics and Culture Attache V.Goncharof and the General Consulate stuff warmly congratulated the Center with its 5th anniversary and offered books about Germany as presents to the faculty students.

The Head of the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ GmbH) Reiner Gertz gained attention of the round table participants by presenting results of the project cooperation with the government of Kazakhstan in the sphere of legal reforms, green economy and dual educations. The Rector of the Turan university and the President of the Universities Association Rakhman Alshanov ointed the issues in the Kazakh-Germany trade and economic cooperation and the Germany's input in the economy modernization. He stressed the fact the several project directions on GIZ in terms of dual education are already under implementation in his university.

Tomas Helm, director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Office in Kazakhstan talking about the important of the Kazakhstan-Germany relations in the age of foreign policy challenges explained that his Foundation offers scholarships for those students who would perform a demand for the state and would be able to act at the political stage. The President of the Kazakh-German University (DKU) Markus Keiser made some comments on the Kazakh-German cooperation in the field of high education including its cooperation with the Kazakh National University. While the head of UNESCO water resources department in Central Asia Barbara Janusz-Pavletta showed plain examples of how the scientific community treats questions of the water resources in the region and what role is performed by the Berlin process on the creation of potential in the water sector of the Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

 The role of the German language in the world (the language spoken by more than 100 million of people) and the role of the German-speaking countries and influence performed by the German culture and traditions became main topic of the presentation given by the Head of Goethe Institut Almaty Barbara von Munchhausen and the head of the information center of DAAD Bartłomiej Minkowski who suggested new forms of student engagement into the orbit of the german-speaking countries.

The Head of the KISI Representative in Almaty Madina Nurgaliyeva, the Head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office in Almaty Tolganay Umbetaliyeva and the Head of the Central Asian Institute of the Strategic Studies Anna Gusarova pointed basic issues of the project cooperation of the analytical organizations of Kazakhstan with German foundations and the most effective spheres of further cooperation.

The Head of the Center for German Studies Mara Gubaidullina and the 4th year student of the International Relations Department Shiringul Karimova showed the recent achievements of the university in promotion of the Bologna process and presented scientific and educational projects in cooperation with the German academics and institutions. Among those are the Institute for Peace Studies of the Hamburg University, Bundeswehr University, Berlin Free University, universities of Bremen, Heidelberg, Marburg and other universities. Starting from the year of 2016, the Center for German Studies is the only institution in Kazakhstan that is member of the OSCE Network of Thank Tanks and Academic Institutions.

Ermek Chukubayev, the head of the International Relations and World Economy devision of the International Relations Department, pointed out that despite its young age, the Center functions as an impressive bridge in building strong ties with Germany.

Members of the round table showed the importance of the European tradition in the modernization of the Kazakhstani society, its economy and education and wished the Center would continue being a platform for further exchange of ideas and experience. 

International relations department

Center for german studies