Latest news with #Kassym-JomartTokayev
Egypt Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Kazakhstan's president commends Sisi's wise, balanced stands
CAIRO, July 13 (MENA) – Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commended the wise and balanced positions of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as well as Egypt's important role in achieving stability and calm in the Middle East. Tokayev made the comments in a meeting with Egyptian Ambassador in Astana Ibtissam Rakha Hassan, on the sidelines of a ceremony for opening the new headquarters of the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Kazakh officials, foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations, the statement added. During the meeting, the Kazakh leader praised the depth of relations between the two countries, expressing his country's willingness to foster cooperation with Egypt. On her part, the ambassador conveyed the greetings of President Sisi to his Kazakh counterpart, emphasizing the Egyptian political leadership's keenness to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan in various fields. (MENA)
Middle East
6 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Kazakhstan's president commends Sisi's wise, balanced stands
CAIRO, July 13 (MENA) - Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commended the wise and balanced positions of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, as well as Egypt's important role in achieving stability and calm in the Middle East. Tokayev made the comments in a meeting with Egyptian Ambassador in Astana Ibtissam Rakha Hassan, on the sidelines of a ceremony for opening the new headquarters of the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Kazakh officials, foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations, the statement added. During the meeting, the Kazakh leader praised the depth of relations between the two countries, expressing his country's willingness to foster cooperation with Egypt. On her part, the ambassador conveyed the greetings of President Sisi to his Kazakh counterpart, emphasizing the Egyptian political leadership's keenness to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan in various fields. (MENA) M R E/R E E
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Key Country Wooed by China, Russia Responds to New Trump Tariffs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kazakhstan, whose close ties with Russia and China have made it a significant regional player in Central Asia, has said it is ready to reach a compromise with the Trump administration over tariffs due to take effect next month. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a letter to Trump expressing a hope for a "rational solution to trade issues," according to Russian state media outlet TASS. Trump's tariffs on countries which are aimed at what the U.S. president has said would rebalance trade, include 25 percent levies on Kazakhstan, whose natural resources are critical for both its neighbors, Russia and China. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev speaks during the signing ceremony at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, November 27, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev speaks during the signing ceremony at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace, November 27, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Why It Matters A former Soviet republic, Kazakhstan still has a close relationship with Moscow although its president, Tokayev has notably not backed Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signaled a pivot toward Beijing. China is eager to buy the huge amounts of nickel, copper, lithium and other so-called critical minerals in Kazakhstan for its electric vehicles and batteries. Moscow in turn has asked Kazakhstan to supply the country with gasoline in case of shortages caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy facilities. Takayev's comments show he seeks to strike a favorable deal with the U.S. that rivals both China and Russia. What To Know Trump this week published letters on his Truth Social account about duties on goods coming into the U.S. from other countries in a policy he says would rebalance trade. Kazakhstan was among the first countries whose letters he addressed with tariffs on goods entering the U.S. from the country set at 25 percent from August 1. This is lower than many countries, but Trump's comments have hinted that negotiations over this next three weeks could change matters. Tokayev said in a statement he was ready for "a constructive dialogue" to develop a rational solution to trade issues and was confident of a "compromise on the trade problem." Tokayev also said Astana views Washington an important trade and investment partner and wanted "fair, predictable, mutually beneficial trade ties." Last year, there was $4.2 billion worth of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the U.S. and between January and May 2025, $1.26 billion, including exports of $418.2 million. Astana has said that duties will not affect 95 percent of Kazakhstan's exports to the United States, including oil, uranium, silver, metal alloys, tantalum, and titanium 7. What People Are Saying A statement by the press service of Kazakhstan president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev "confirmed our country's readiness to continue a constructive dialogue in order to develop a rational solution to trade issues and expressed confidence in reaching a compromise on the trade problem." What Happens Next Trump has warned that if any country introduces retaliatory duties, Washington would increase its tariff rates. Tokayev's comments suggest that like other countries, Kazakhstan will seek to get a deal with the U.S. over the line in the next three weeks.
Euronews
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Kazakhstan bans face coverings in public places
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed on Monday an amendment to the crime prevention law banning face coverings in public spaces. "It is prohibited to wear clothing items in public places that impede facial recognition," the text of the new amendment says, providing a list of exceptions. These include face coverings essential for work, such as welding masks. Exemptions are also in place for the medical profession, civil defence, extreme weather conditions and participating in mass sports and cultural events. While the amendment does not explicitly ban religious headwear, many understand that women will no longer be allowed to wear either a burqa or a niqab in public. Hijabs, however, will still be allowed. Unlike the niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible, and the burqa, which covers the entire face, the hijab covers the head but not the face. While there has been a rise in the number of people wearing religious attire in Kazakhstan in the last five years, the hijab remains much more common than the burqa or niqab. A common argument against the niqab and the burqa is that Kazakh women historically have not covered their faces and that the trend is new, imported from Arabic countries. Opinions on social media regarding the ban are divided. Many support the law, calling it timely. But others have criticised the move, calling it an attempt by the government to exercise greater control over the public. "Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," President Tokayev said earlier this year. "Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively." Other countries in Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, have introduced similar restrictions on the use of head and facial coverings by female citizens.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
New law in Kazakhstan restricts public wearing of face veils
A women, wearing a niqab despite a nationwide ban on the Islamic face veil, gives a phone call outside the courts in Meaux, east of Paris, September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/Files Listen to article Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law prohibiting individuals from wearing clothing in public places that covers their faces, joining a trend in several Central Asian countries to restrict forms of Islamic dress. The text of the law says clothing that "interferes with facial recognition" will be banned in public, with exemptions for medical purposes, in adverse weather conditions and at sporting and cultural events. The legislation, one in a series of wider amendments signed into law on Monday, does not explicitly mention religion or types of religious dress. Tokayev has previously praised the legislation as an opportunity to celebrate ethnic identity in Kazakhstan, a majority-Muslim country and former Soviet republic. "Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," he was quoted by Kazakh media as saying earlier this year. Read: Kyrgyz body backs ban on niqab "Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively." Other Central Asian countries have introduced similar laws in recent years. Police in Kyrgyzstan have conducted street patrols to enforce their ban on the Islamic niqab face veil, according to local media reports. In Uzbekistan, violating the niqab statute carries a fine of over $250. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon signed a ban on wearing clothing in public that is "alien to national culture."
