<h6><strong>Luis Ayllón</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Kazakh ambassador to Spain, Danat Mussayev, underlined the increased trade turnover between the two countries during a reception held at the National Auditorium on the occasion of the Kazakh National Holiday.</strong></h4> The event took place last Thursday and included a gala concert by<strong> the Kazakh State Folklore Ensemble “Astaná Sazy” and the “Yasawi” Vocal Group</strong>. Numerous guests attended, including the ambassadors of Russia and Uzbekistan, among others; and the Deputy Director General for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, <strong>Gabriel Cremades,</strong> representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before the musical performances and after the interpretation of the Spanish and Kazakh national anthems, Ambassador Dussayev gave a speech, in which he stated that since the Declaration of Sovereignty of Kazakhstan in 1990, the country has achieved a solid political foundation and <strong>has seen its economy strengthen, growing 23 times from 11 billion dollars in 1993 to 261 billion in 2023.</strong> He added that for more than 15 years, Kazakhstan has occupied second place in the post-Soviet space in terms of GDP and GDP per capita and noted that its strategic location between Europe, Asia and the Middle East connects it with consumer markets totaling around 500 million people. Mussayev said his country is the leader in foreign investment in the region with more than $441 billion since 1993, and that the capital, Astana, is a regional financial center that has attracted more than 3,000 international companies from 82 countries and investments worth more than $12 billion. After adding that “Kazakhstan’s true wealth lies in its people” and that its nomadic culture embodies “the essence of hospitality and tolerance,” he was proud to say that his country “stands as a beacon of stability, diversity and progress in the heart of Eurasia.” And, while noting that Kazakhstan “is a respected and reliable state in international affairs,” he said: “We take advantage of our geostrategic location to provide all possible assistance to the resolution of regional and international disputes, offering a neutral platform for negotiations.” The ambassador then addressed the “excellent” state of bilateral relations with Spain, recalling that this year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the <strong>Strategic Partnership Agreemen</strong>t between the two countries, and stating that an attempt will be made to accompany this round figure with important events such as high-level visits. He also indicated that Kazakhstan pays special attention to the development of the economic partnership with Spain, which is<strong> one of its 15 main trade and economic partners.</strong> “I am pleased to highlight the growth of the mutual trade turnover in recent years, which by the end of 2023 reached 2 billion dollars,” he said. After expressing his confidence that in future interventions he will be able to affirm that Spain is among the five main trade partners of Kazakhstan, the ambassador invited Spanish businessmen to invest in their country and “investors and innovators - he said - to take advantage of the bold spirit of our population, explore the numerous opportunities in Kazakhstan, commit to our vibrant economy and contribute to a shared vision of sustainable progress.” [caption id="attachment_98982" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98982" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6052.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> Danat Musayev and his wife receive Uzbekistan's Ambassador Farrux Tursunov and his wife.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98984" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98984" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6105.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> Russian Ambassador Yuri Klimenko greets the host upon his arrival.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98998" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98998" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6509.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> The Ambassador and his wife chatting with CEU-San Pablo University professor Ricardo de la Serna.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98988" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98988" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6190.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> A view of the National Auditorium during the concert.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98992" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98992" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6256.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> Two of the members of the folk group 'Astana Sazy' during their performance.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98994" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98994" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6321.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> The 'Yasawi' choir, during their performance.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_99000" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-99000" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6519.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> A group of guests with the ambassador and his wife.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98996" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="size-full wp-image-98996" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kazajistan-recepcion-IMG_6336.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> Kazakh gastronomy was present at the reception.[/caption]
