Astana. July 17^th. The president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has awarded mayor of Seoul (Korea) O Se Khun with the anniversary medal “Astana 10 years”. On Thursday during solemn ceremony of opening the Day of Seoul, taken place in the Congress-hall, on behalf of the Head of the state akim of capital Imangaly Tasmagambetov has handed over the award to his colleague.

“Mister Mayor, we know that owing to your efforts cooperation between our cities Astana and Seoul and between our countries every year becomes closer. Considering it by the Decree of the Head of state you are awarded with the anniversary medal “Astana 10 years”, and now on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan allow me to hand it over”, - I.Tasmagambetov said appearing on stage of the Congress-hall.

Akim of Astana has highly estimated value of Days of the Korean culture held from July 17^th to July 19^th in Astana for the further development of the Kazakhstan-Korean cooperation.

“I am sincerely glad to welcome you at the official opening ceremony of Days of Seoul in Astana. We regard it as a bright evidence of huge respect for people of Kazakhstan and the young capital”, - I.Tasmagambetov emphasized.

Akim has specified symbolical character of that the Day of Seoul which is passing simultaneously with festival of the Korean culture and film festival of the Korean cinema, is organized practically after the celebratory actions, devoted to the first anniversary of capital of Kazakhstan.

10 days ago we celebrated 10^th anniversary of our young capital, capital which symbolizes dynamical social and economic development of all Kazakhstan. In the modern globalized world, in the century of development of modern communication technologies the most remote corners of globe become closer and such concepts as the closed culture are erased. In this connection special importance is found with development of versatile close mutual relations not only between the states, but also separate cities. It is deeply convinced that Days of Seoul enable us to make one more step to mutual understanding, enrich our cultures and give us the basis for the further fruitful cooperation”, - I.Tasmagambetov noted.

Mayor of Seoul O Se Khun welcoming participants of solemn ceremony of opening the Days of Seoul and the Korean culture has emphasized: “I want you, the inhabitants of Astana to feel love and respect of inhabitants of Seoul. I hope we shall keep the best memoirs on these days, the best impressions on our meetings”.

“I am assured our relation will develop even more actively owing to common language - the language of culture”, - O Se Khun said.

Official opening ceremonies of Days of Seoul has proceeded with the concert of the best artistic collectives from Seoul, including Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater, electro string trio IS, dancing groups Babyvox Re.v, Copymachine. By the words of actors, mayor of Seoul personally has approved their participation in the concert program in Astana.

The Day finished with viewing the drama of the Korean cinematographers with optimistic name “The best moments of our life”.

Meanwhile the cultural program of day was preceded by productive business dialogue between official delegations of Astana and Seoul. In the afternoon of the same day I.Tasmagambetov and O Se Khun have signed the agreement on the further deepening and expansion of cooperation within the limits of the Memorandum signed in 2004 of an establishment sworn brotherhood relation between capitals of Korea and Kazakhstan. The signed document became quintessence of preceded negotiations, during which I.Tasmagambetov stated the vision of the future interaction with the Seoul mayor.

“We are interested in exchange of experience and information on construction of inexpensive hypothecary habitation, and also roads, outcomes, parking and on creation of control centre by the traffic”, - akim of Astana informed.

He noticed: “21 century is a century of dynamical, rapid growth of cars, characteristic for all post Soviet space. Astana in this number is not exception, and has problems, which such cities as Seoul went through 20-30 years ago and found very effective way of their decision. It is very interesting for us”.

Besides akim invited the Seoul partners to active participation in projects to territories of the Industrial park entering in SEZ of Astana on which tax privileges and customs preference extend.

O Se Khun during the meeting emphasized great interest of the Korean party in the further development sworn brotherhood relation in all spheres representing mutual interest. Thus he noted he had received strong impression of acquaintance with shape and architecture of young capital of Kazakhstan.

“Kazakhstan having harmonious combination of history to modern style has made a big impression to me. I saw and was convinced that Astana, Kazakhstan is the connecting bridge between the East and the West”, - he said.

Mayor of Seoul with супругой Song Khion-ok, other members of the Korean delegation have remained very happy with the warm reception in Astana. They are convinced that the difference in the age of Astana and Seoul is practically 600 years, neither distance dividing them, nor language barriers cannot become an obstacle in the way of two people testing mutual respect and aspiration to build new bridges of friendship and cooperation.