Consulate General of Kazakhstan in the UAE
Interview with the Consul General of Kazakhstan in the UAE, Rasul Zhumaly
Mr. Rasul Bereketuly, the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been working in the UAE since 1997. Do you plan to open an embassy in the future? Is there a need for this?
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most important and profitable partners of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. Recently, our countries have reached a high level of political interaction and trade and economic cooperation. Year after year, business contacts are expanding, the number of tourists in both directions is growing. Many of our citizens live in the Emirates on a long-term basis, working in various companies and institutions; some young people study at local universities.
Positive shifts are also observed in the investment sphere, in the process of interaction between business entities, in the creation of free economic zones. To the extent possible, the Consulate General is involved in all these issues.
But time, as you know, does not stand still. The potential for cooperation in both Astana and Abu Dhabi is very promising. On the agenda is the task of giving a new impetus to the relations between the two countries. One of the clear evidence of this is the recent decision by the Government of the UAE to establish its Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this regard, it is thought that the return opening of the Kazakhstani representative office in Abu Dhabi is not far off.
It has been quite a while since you assumed the post of Consul General, but you probably remember your first impressions of the United Arab Emirates. Can you tell about them and compare them with your current vision of the country?
Emirates is a state unique in many ways. One finger is enough to list other countries that have achieved equally impressive progress in just a few decades. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan laid the foundation for a society that cares, first and foremost, for the welfare of its citizens. It harmoniously develops on the basis of respect for centuries-old foundations in combination with advanced technologies.
My initial ideas about the Emirates were correct; it’s just that over time they have become more realistic and versatile. I still consider this country to be cozy, hospitable and looking to the future. This is a state with healthy ambitions, which has a lot to learn.
What questions do your compatriots most often ask at the consulate? Are there any issues that the Consulate General does not deal with in principle?
Questions are very different. Basically, they relate to the legalization of certain documents, notarial functions, visa issues. Unfortunately, there are also problematic situations that can be resolved by the Consulate General. And the sooner this kind of appeal arrives, the more likely it is to count on a favorable outcome. By the way, one of the grounds for consular acts for citizens who have been in the UAE for a long period is their registration on consular records. I remind you of this to all Kazakhstanis who have not yet completed this simple procedure.
At the moment, the Consulate General is the only official institution in the UAE authorized to speak on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The scope of our activities covers the whole range of legitimate interests of our citizens. We come into contact with the state authorities of the host country, petition for a satisfactory consideration of certain issues, give the necessary advice and the requested written confirmation.
Another thing is that, for objective reasons, a number of procedures (associated, for example, with obtaining passports and registering marriages) are carried out by central authorities, that is, directly in Kazakhstan.
Is there a structure in the UAE that deals with the resolution of trade (commercial) problems in the dialogue between Kazakhstani and local entrepreneurs?
Bilateral trade and economic relations are developing very dynamically, in particular between business circles. Accordingly, mutual interest is growing, various questions arise. To the best of our ability, our Consulate General is engaged in information support for this process: we have opened our own website (www.kz-consulate.ae), we publish all kinds of brochures, CDs, and distribute the quarterly Nasihat magazine. Interested parties or companies often contact us directly. We try to live up to their expectations. So, from last year in Dubai there is a representative of the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Kazakhstan, Mr. Adilbek Elimbetov, who is engaged in establishing business relations.
However, our functions are usually limited to tips and tricks. Controversial issues, if the parties do not find a compromise, are resolved, as in all civilized countries, by the relevant courts.
What documents need to be issued to foreign citizens wishing to visit Kazakhstan on a business or private invitation?
Here, approximately the same scheme applies that is practiced in the UAE. The reason for the trip is an invitation from a private or legal entity from Kazakhstan. This may be a friend, relative, business partner, travel company and so on. The invitation is issued in the prescribed form in the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A foreigner must come to our office with a passport, a copy of the invitation letter with a note on the visa support number of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (or the original of a private invitation issued by the internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and a completed application form with a photo card. A sample application form can be obtained from the Consulate General or at www.kz-consulate.ae. A visa is issued within three business days.
Reception of citizens is carried out from Sunday to Wednesday, from 13.00 to 15.00. Let me remind you of our address: Dubai, Deira, Baniyas embankment, Green Tower, office 302.
At the same time, a simplified procedure for issuing single-entry Kazakhstan visas for citizens of 28 developed states, a list of which can be found on the site, has recently been provided. No invitations are required for this category.
What formalities exist for citizens of other CIS and Baltic countries who live in the Emirates and want to visit Kazakhstan?
With the CIS countries, we have a visa-free travel regime for citizens. Although the Baltic republics, which, as you know, were not included in the CIS, are not included in the corresponding list. There is also no Turkmenistan, whose government decided not to extend the validity of the multilateral agreement on visa-free travel. For all other visitors from the CIS countries, entry and exit to Kazakhstan remains open. By the way, almost a similar regime on a parity basis applies to citizens of Turkey and Mongolia.
Are marriages with foreigners registered in the consulate, including citizens of the Emirates? What documents are required for those entering into such an alliance? How is a child born in such a marriage registered?
Mixed marriages are not registered with us. This act can be committed directly in the homeland of one of the future spouses. If this is Kazakhstan, then, I believe, everything is clear. In the event that a citizen of Kazakhstan wants to marry a local resident in the UAE, then, among others, a certificate from the civil registry office will be required, confirming that this person is not married to another. It is not necessary to go to Kazakhstan to receive such a document. You can draw up a corresponding power of attorney in the name of your relative or friend, which is certified at the Consulate.
As for the birth of a child in the UAE, then local authorities issue a proper certificate regardless of the citizenship of the parents. This document can be notarized by the Consulate General and used in Kazakhstan. It gives the right to receive a birth certificate (Kazakhstan sample) at the place of residence of the father or mother of the child. In addition, we enter the information about the baby in the passport of one of the parents - by their mutual consent.
Are sharia marriages in the UAE valid in Kazakhstan?
Yes, such marriages are considered valid. As you know, marriages in the Emirates are concluded according to the canons of Sharia; the registration is carried out by the bodies of the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqfs of the UAE. To recognize these documents within Kazakhstan, it is enough to assure their translation at the Consulate General.
is it necessary to obtain a new passport to a citizen of Kazakhstan, who is a resident of the UAE? How long does the exchange process take and does the consulate issue a document replacing the passport for this period?
A new passport is issued by the internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the place of permanent residence of a citizen and usually takes two weeks. This procedure is preferably timed to the time of vacation or vacation. If necessary, the Consulate General may extend the validity of an aging passport for up to one year.
What should be remembered by the citizens of Kazakhstan, who are in the UAE, so that they do not have problems with the authorities?
Even before sending on the way you should be given (by a travel agency or sponsor) a copy of the visa or a document confirming its availability. This also serves as the basis for crossing the Kazakhstan border. At the destination airport, in addition to the usual procedures, arrivals may be asked to undergo a retinal scan. It should be borne in mind that people who previously violated the laws of the Emirates are often temporarily denied entry into the country. The presence of such persons even a new passport with a changed (for example, like a spouse) surname does not exclude a refusal.
UAE customs regulations impose some restrictions on the import of alcohol (2 bottles) and cigarettes (20 blocks). In addition to weapons, narcotic substances and ivory products, it is forbidden to import video materials and print publications of erotic content. Such products can be seized at security checkpoints and returned to the owner only if there is no content that is not acceptable by local standards.
One of the common problems that you have to deal with is transferring your passport into the wrong hands. This should not be done under any circumstances. It must be remembered that a passport is not only the property of the state, but also the guarantee of freedom of action of a citizen.
Photographing local women should not be at all. Men can be removed only with their consent, and the staff of cafes and restaurants - with the permission of the manager. In stores, large or small, it is worthwhile to ask the seller for a check for the purchased goods and keep it until departure.
When renting a car, remember that speeding in the absence of police is usually detected by radars located almost everywhere. One of the serious crimes is driving while intoxicated. This may lead to imprisonment. To appear in public places while intoxicated is also not recommended. Particularly stringent anti-alcohol legislation applies in the emirate of Sharjah, where, for example, even storage of strong drinks is prohibited.
In general, it is advisable not to forget that you are in a Muslim country. At the same time, I allow myself to disagree with the sometimes prevailing opinion that, they say, local laws are harsher in comparison with other developed states. As for respect for mores and customs, this, in my opinion, is an indicator of the decency and inner culture of each person.
Surely there have been stories in your diplomatic practice that you cannot talk about without a smile. Could you tell us one of these stories? Is there any room for humor in your work?
Of course, there are, and there are funny episodes. I recall a visit to one of the receptions during my time in Cairo. There I began a conversation with one of the guests. And although the level of my Arabic was far from perfect, the conversation turned out to be quite lively. It did not hurt even the fact that the interlocutor, as I noticed, had similar difficulties with choosing the right speed. Only at the end of the dialogue did we recognize the CIS citizens in each other, which we were extremely happy with, and, of course, switched to a more familiar language of communication. It is hoped that a half-hour practice in Arabic nevertheless went for the future.
In general, I find it wonderful when all of us, residents of post-Soviet countries, have a lot in common, which brings us together and allows us to maintain warm, friendly relations. We need to cherish this in every way.
Let me remind you that on December 4, 2005, the next presidential election is expected in Kazakhstan. The opportunity to cast their votes for one of the applicants is also provided for our citizens in the UAE. The polling station will operate on this day in the building of the Consulate General in Dubai from 07.00 to 15.00. So, as they say, we are waiting for everyone
At the end of the interview I want to wish all readers of Russian Emirates great happiness, health and good spirits.
Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan
in the United Arab Emirates
Consul General: Rasul Bereketuly Zhumaly
Phone: +971 (4) 224 2462
Fax: +971 (4) 224 2482
P.O. Box: 14180, Dubai
Email:[email protected]
Web site:www.kz-consulate.ae
Address: Office 302, Green Tower, Deira, Dubai, UAE
Business hours: from 13:00 to 15:00
Reception days: from Sunday to Wednesday inclusive, except Saturday, weekends and national holidays of Kazakhstan
