To: jeevacation@gmail.com[jeevacation@gmail.corn]
From: Terje Rod-Larsen
Sent: Sun 12/18/2011 3:11:10 PM
Subject: Fw:
Original Message
From.
To:
Sent: Fri Dec 16 09:56:35 2011
Dear Yerzhan,
I know this is busy time for you, but allow me to express my greetings and
congratulations on the occasion of the 20
th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence. As you know, I believe that
Kazakhstan has enormous potential for becoming a major power, not only in terms
of political and economic clout and regional leadership, but also as a conduit
for relations between Europe and Asia and promoting dialogue among religions. I
hope that we will be able to work together towards these goals in the years to
come.
I feel bad for having suggested that you visit Norway at what I know is such a
busy time for you with the ambassador's meeting, the jubilee, as well as heavy
responsibilities in the OIC, OSCE Troika and other fora where Kazakhstan is
active.
The lead time is now too short to organize a possible dinner in Oslo on 27
December. I suggest that we postpone the dinner for now and try again early in
the new year at a time that is mutually convenient for all members of the group
that I indicated.
Within the next few days I want to call you concerning another dinner - the
Foreign Minister's dinner in Kazakhstan (on the model of other dinners that IPI
hosts, for example in Luxembourg and New York).
We would like this to become an annual event (co-hosted by IPI and Kazakhstan),
focusing on security issues in Eurasia. For the first year, it would be best if
it could be held at a time when a number of Foreign Ministers will anyway be in
Kazakhstan. I understand that there will be a Ministerial-level meeting of the
CSTO next year in Kazakhstan? That would involve Ministers from Central Asia and
Russia. We could add the US, Sweden, Norway, Germany and a few others (10-12) for
a confidential and open discussion on issues in Central Asia, perhaps related to
the draw-down of ISAF forces in Afghanistan. Based on our experience in the UAE
and other places, we need around 6 months to plan this meeting.
It would also be helpful if you could sign the budgetary agreement for the MOU
EFTA_R1_00240741
EFTA01848987
that we agreed on in order that we can move ahead with planning for this dinner,
elaboration of a situation assessment for Central Asia (as we discussed), and
other projects of mutual interest that are not part of the existing agreement
covering support for Kazakhstan's Chairmanship of the OIC. In that connection, I
attach a confidential draft of a situation assessment of Central Asia and its
Neighbours with a special focus on Kazakhstan. I look forward to your comments
and suggestions in order that this study will meet the expectations of the plan
that we discussed during our private conversation when I last visited Astana.
In the context of finalizing the IPI Masterplan for 2012, I will be meeting with
the Chairman of the Board of IPI, Rita Hauser, at the end of this month. On that
occasion it would be important for me to confirm Kazakhstan's intention to
provide predictable and sustainable funding in line with the MOO that we signed.
IPI's Board is very enthusiastic for long-term partnership with Kazakhstan!
All the best for the holiday season, and a very happy New Year.
My warmest regards
Terje
EFTA_R1_00240742
EFTA01848988