Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA497
2008-03-13 00:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DUSHANBE TIFA MEETING,
how-toVZCZCXRO3356 RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTA #0497 0730044 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 130044Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1978 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 0436 RUEHAST/USOFFICE ALMATY 0303
UNCLAS ASTANA 000497
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - O'MARA
STATE PASS USTR FOR EHAFNER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN ECON PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DUSHANBE TIFA MEETING,
SUPPORTS DRAFT AGENDA IN PRINCIPLE
REF: (A) 03/08 Hafner email to Central Asian posts
(B) Astana 00128
UNCLAS ASTANA 000497
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - O'MARA
STATE PASS USTR FOR EHAFNER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN ECON PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DUSHANBE TIFA MEETING,
SUPPORTS DRAFT AGENDA IN PRINCIPLE
REF: (A) 03/08 Hafner email to Central Asian posts
(B) Astana 00128
1. (SBU) Damigul Kabiyeva, Head of the Ministry of Industry and
Trade's WTO Accession Department, told econoff on March 11 that
while Kazakhstan has no preference as to the location of 2008 TIFA
Council Meeting, the GOK welcomes Tajikistan's invitation to host
the event in Dushanbe in early June, and is willing to assist in
coordinating the gathering.
2. (SBU) Per ref A, econoff shared with Kabieyeva our preliminary
draft TIFA agenda. She said she supported the agenda in principle,
noting that streamlining customs procedures and facilitating
regional trade provide an appropriate focus for the meeting.
Kabieyeva did, however, express doubts as to the ability of
participating TIFA member states to establish effective working
groups prior to June.
3. (SBU) Kabiyeva reiterated Kazakhstani concerns that after three
years of participation in TIFA, there are few demonstrated results.
Kazakhstan remains anxious to see TIFA and the Council Meetings "go
from dialogue to practical measures" (see ref B). She said that
TIFA would greatly benefit from having a governance structure,
perhaps similar to that of Eurasian Economic Community, which could
establish a schedule for future Council Meetings based on a rotating
roster of hosts and agenda items. Kabiyeva contended that this
would facilitate the preparation done by experts and working groups
in advance of future Council Meetings, thereby allowing for more
results-oriented annual gatherings. Finally, Kabiyeva repeated her
Ministry's recommendation that representatives of international
trade organizations be encouraged to attend as well, as they could
offer relevant and valuable perspectives on the challenges to
regional trade.
4. (U) Kabiyeva and her deputy, Saadat Assanseiteva, remain the
principal working level contacts in the GOK for TIFA issues.
ORDWAY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - O'MARA
STATE PASS USTR FOR EHAFNER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN ECON PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DUSHANBE TIFA MEETING,
SUPPORTS DRAFT AGENDA IN PRINCIPLE
REF: (A) 03/08 Hafner email to Central Asian posts
(B) Astana 00128
1. (SBU) Damigul Kabiyeva, Head of the Ministry of Industry and
Trade's WTO Accession Department, told econoff on March 11 that
while Kazakhstan has no preference as to the location of 2008 TIFA
Council Meeting, the GOK welcomes Tajikistan's invitation to host
the event in Dushanbe in early June, and is willing to assist in
coordinating the gathering.
2. (SBU) Per ref A, econoff shared with Kabieyeva our preliminary
draft TIFA agenda. She said she supported the agenda in principle,
noting that streamlining customs procedures and facilitating
regional trade provide an appropriate focus for the meeting.
Kabieyeva did, however, express doubts as to the ability of
participating TIFA member states to establish effective working
groups prior to June.
3. (SBU) Kabiyeva reiterated Kazakhstani concerns that after three
years of participation in TIFA, there are few demonstrated results.
Kazakhstan remains anxious to see TIFA and the Council Meetings "go
from dialogue to practical measures" (see ref B). She said that
TIFA would greatly benefit from having a governance structure,
perhaps similar to that of Eurasian Economic Community, which could
establish a schedule for future Council Meetings based on a rotating
roster of hosts and agenda items. Kabiyeva contended that this
would facilitate the preparation done by experts and working groups
in advance of future Council Meetings, thereby allowing for more
results-oriented annual gatherings. Finally, Kabiyeva repeated her
Ministry's recommendation that representatives of international
trade organizations be encouraged to attend as well, as they could
offer relevant and valuable perspectives on the challenges to
regional trade.
4. (U) Kabiyeva and her deputy, Saadat Assanseiteva, remain the
principal working level contacts in the GOK for TIFA issues.
ORDWAY