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Central Asia's Perspectives as Transit Land-Bridge between Europe and China International Conference organised by: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kazakh Institute for Strategic Studies Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kazakhstan April 26, 2005 Almaty, Kazakhstan Preliminary Concept: Development of international continental transport communications has been and remains very important for Central Asian countries since the Silk Way period. The construction of optimal schemes of interstate corridors is not only a priority task for specialised agencies and ministries but, bearing in mind regional specifics, this issue has an international political and geopolitical meaning of its own. Successful Chinese experiences of the past decade confirm these tendencies. Central Asia has a unique position between Europe, China and Russia. The Asian-Pacific Region (APR) is more and more one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The European growth is becoming intrinsically inter-linked with the economy of the APR. Moreover, Central Asia countries as well as Russia are striving to ease their dependence on export of natural resources and counterbalance it by enlarging the productive sector of the economy. By crossing the region, the construction of relevant infrastructures linking the main geo-economic poles on the Eurasian landmass will trigger sustainable growth in Eurasia. The new routes will significantly increase the transport of goods and services from West to East and vice versa and will have a cross-regional impact on transit countries' economies. The regions bordering transport corridors would be positively affected and be able to increase trade themselves. What is more, the new links will indirectly uphold peace in Central Asia, giving a real interest in its stability to the neighbouring powers. Hence, the identification of future transit corridors is of a significant strategic importance, and will have deep consequences for the concerned regions. To facilitate this identification as well as to strengthen its significance in a geopolitical context, the Friedrich-Ebert- Foundation together with the Kazakh Institute for Strategic Studies and the Embassy of the People's Republic on China in Kazakhstan will organise an international conference in Almaty in April 2005. Organisational Issues Arrival/Departure of foreign participants: Arrival April 25 Departure April 27 Conference: Day: April 26 Time: 10.00 AM - 5.30 PM Location: Hotel Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan Contact details of organizers: Friedrich Ebert Foundation Samal-3, Deutsches Haus 480052 Almaty Kazakhstan Tel. +7 (3272) 54-37-17 Fax. +7 (3272) 54-37-13 E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] Kazakhstani Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI) Dostyk Prospekt 87 b 4801000 Almaty Kazakhstan Fax.: +7 (3272) 64-49-95 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Web: http://www.kisi.kz Accommodation of foreign participants: Hotel Kazakhstan Conference languages: English & Russian Chairmen of conference: Dr. Maulen Ashimbayev (KISI) Dr. Reinhard Krumm (FES) Organizational Committee: Elvira PAK, FES-Almaty Moira KETTNER, FES-Almaty Dr. Larissa GUSEVA, KISI Fabrizio VIELMINI, Italian-Kazakhstani Chamber of Commerce Preliminary Program 09.30 - 10.00 Registration 10.00 - 10.30 Opening of the Conference Welcoming remarks Dr. Maulen Ashimbaev, Kazakh Institute for Strategic Studies Dr. Reinhard Krumm, FES Central Asia Project Coordinator The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in RK N.N., Kazakh Transport & Communication Ministry (requested) First Session: Development of the Eurasian Transit Transport Potential: Geopolitical Aspects 10.30 - 10.40 Eurasian infrastructure development: European View Alexander RAHR (German Society for Foreign Politics, requested) 10.40 - 10.50 Chinese Transport and Geopolitics in the XXI century N.N. 10.50 - 11.00 Russian Interests in Eurasian Transport Corridors Alexander SOBIANIN, (Association for Trans-border Cooperation, ATC, Moscow) 11.00 - 11.10 Kazakhstan as a Pioneer in Central Asia: Roads as Key Factor for a Multivectoral Foreign Policy N.N. 11.20 - 11.30 European Interests in a Sustainable Partnership with China and the NIS for the implementation of Eurasian Land-Bridges N.N. 11.30 - 11.50 Discussion 11.50 - 12.10 Coffee Break Second Session: Transport Systems of countries of Central Asia and they potential in organization of transit transportation 12.10 - 12.20 State and tendencies of development of transport complex in countries of Central Asia 12.20 - 12.30 The ways of integration of Central Asia countries in world transport system 12.30 - 12.40 Analysis of problems standing on the way of effective achievement of transit potential and mechanisms of it overcoming 12.40. - 13.00 Discussion 13.00 - 14.00 Lunch Third Session: Efficiency of Eurasian Roads and Alternative Transport Options 14.00 - 14.10 Berlin-Bejing: Cooperational Perspectives - comparative analysis Dr. Boehlke (Daimler Chrysler, requested) 14.10 - 14.20 Trans-Siberian and other Eurasian Corridors N.N. 14.20 - 14.30 Evaluation of the Kazakhstani Transit Transport Potential KazAto (Kazakhstani Union of International Road Carriers) 14.30 - 14.40 TRASECA N.N. 14.40 - 14.50 Iran's View on Eurasian Transport Politics N.N. 14.50 - 15.10 Discussion Fourth Session: Increasing the Efficiency of Transit Transport Networks 15.10 -15.20 Harmonisation of Tax and Custom Politics N.N. 15.20 -15.30 Technical Obstacles between Chinese and Kazakh Rail Roads N.N. 15.30 - 15.50 Discussion 15.50 - 16.10 Coffee Break 16.10 - 16.20 Legal and Financial Instruments from International Institutions N.N. 16.20 - 16.30 The Transport Corridor as Tool for Development in NIS Countries N.N. 16.30 - 16.50 Discussion 16.50 - 17.10 Resume 17.20 Closing of Conference Support for Covering Costs of Participation: The Organizational Committee is able to cover the expenses for the following number of experts from each of the following countries: 1. 3 (three) experts from Russia 2. 1 (one) experts from Tajikistan 3. 1 (one) expert from Kyrgyzstan 4. 1 (one) expert from Turkmenistan 5. 1 (one) expert from Uzbekistan 6. 1 (one) expert from EU (Bruxelles) 7. 1 (one) expert from France 8. 1 (one) expert from Germany 9. 3 (three) experts from China 10. 2 (two) experts from Kazakhstan (Astana) Location: Almaty Deadline: asap