Diplomatic Events

On Wednesday evening December 7th, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan held its 31st Independence Day celebration at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv. The evening was a celebration of Kazakhstan’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, with traditional clothing, displays of Kazakhstani cuisine and literature, and a live musical performance by the folklore group “Zhas Star” visiting Israel from Kazakhstan.

H.E. Mr. Satybaldy Burshakov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, opened the evening by presenting the “Zhas Star” group, noting that the group was visiting Israel through the support of the Eurasian Resources Group led by Alexander Mashkevich. 

Ambassador Burshakov stressed Kazakhstan’s focus on peaceful cooperation, with Kazakhstan maintaining diplomatic relations with 186 countries. In the face of global challenges, Kazakhstan seeks a “balanced, pragmatic approach”, including recently hosting the 6th Summit of CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) and the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana.

Moving to the bilateral relations between Israel and Kazakhstan, the ambassador mentioned the many areas of cooperation including “trade, agricultural, medicine”, along with future avenues for expanding cooperation. The ambassador noted 100 joint ventures are operating today. In 2021 investments from Israel amounted to around 40 mln. USD. Memoranda of Understandings between Ministries of Healthcare will boost the cooperation.

Ambassador Burshakov also recalled the historic ties between Kazakhstan and the Jewish people, with Kazakhstan harboring Jewish refugees during World War II, and the contributions of Jewish people to Kazakhstan’s cultural and economic development. 

In closing, the ambassador reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to democratic reforms and human rights, and recently re-elected President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s stated goals of promoting a “just state, economy and society”.

Israeli Minister of Tourism Mr. Yoel Razvozov spoke next on behalf of the government of Israel. Minister Razvozov expressed the gratitude towards Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstani people for welcoming Jewish refugees with open arms during the Holocaust. The minister also noted the model Kazakhstan provides for other nations with its peaceful diplomatic approach to multilateral relations. The 9th joint Israeli-Kazakhstani economic summit was held in June in Astana. The minister expressed hope that direct flights between Israel and Kazakhstan would soon be established. Minister Razvozov closed by thanking Ambassador Burshakov for his dedication to bilateral ties, and offering congratulations to President Tokayev on his re-election. Ambassador Burshakov and Minister Razvozov then offered a toast to the best wishes of both nations. 

 Guests enjoyed a lavish buffet dinner, along with the musical performance by the “Zhas Star” group. There were also anthologies of Contemporary Kazakh literature and poetry for guests to take home, and a display of Kazakhstani goods imported by "Better Choice" BC.

The Zhas Star musical group also performed at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. They will perform at 8 pm on Thursday, December 8 at Beit Yochanan Hall (4 Raziel Street, Netanya) in a performance open to the public titled “Melodies of the Great Steppe”.

Among the distinguished guests in attendance at the independence day celebration were former prime minister of Israel Ehud Olmert; Minister of Tourism Yoel Ravozov; Ambassador Gil Haskel, head of protocol and former director of Mashav; Mikhail Zingerman, Israeli Police Superintendent and Spokesman to the Russian Press (who presented a gift on behalf of the Israel police); David Luxemburg, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Israel; Archbishop Melchisdeck from Jerusalem and Washington, DC; Druze Sheikh Bader Kasem, president of the World Peace Council”; Sheikh Muhammad Sharif Odeh, head of the Ahmadiyya community in Israel; David Freeman, the Jerusalem representative of the Bahá’í International Community; Liliane Haim, Director of the Protocol Department at the MFA; Knesset Member Vladimir Beliak; Neta Briskin-Peleg, director of “Nativ” in the Prime Minister’s Office; Yuval Fuchs, Head of the "EuroAsia" bureau of the MFA; Panigar Baibekov, Consul at the Embassy of Kazakhstan; Prof. Arnon Afek, acting director of Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center; Dr. Vladimir Mesamed from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Asian and African Studies; the Ambassadors and Diplomats of Albania, Argentine, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Estonia, India, Japan, Mexico, Moldova, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Zambia, DCMs of  Russia, Romania, Latvia, Thailand, USA, as well as representatives of many other countries, business and civil society leaders.

Diplomacy.co.il offers congratulations to the Government, Embassy and people of the Republic of Kazakhstan on this important occasion.