Norwegian NGO “Bike for Peace” Strengthens Friendship Ties with Kazakhstan, DKnews.kz reports
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko, met with a well-known Norwegian delegation from the non-governmental organization “Bike for Peace,” led by its Chairman, Tore Nærland.
At the beginning of the meeting, Vassilenko congratulated Nærland on his recent 70th birthday and on receiving Kazakhstan’s state award, the II degree “Dostyk” (Friendship) Order.
“This well-deserved award reflects both your personal contributions and the significant role of the ‘Bike for Peace’ movement in promoting peace-loving initiatives on the international arena for half a century, as well as the assessment by the Head of our State of your role in expanding and deepening Kazakh-Norwegian co-operation” Roman Vassilenko
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on relevant issues of international relations and nuclear disarmament and discussed potential areas for bilateral cooperation.
The Deputy Minister informed the Norwegian delegation about Kazakhstan’s consistent policy efforts to build a world free of nuclear weapons. In particular, Vassilenko highlighted the upcoming events in our country and at the international level dedicated to the International Day against Nuclear Tests, an initiative started by Kazakhstan.
In response, Nærland thanked Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the high honor and outlined the plans for their current visit. During their stay, representatives of “Bike for Peace” will visit the capital, as well as the cities of Almaty and Semey. They will participate in the events on nuclear disarmament issues, hold meetings at universities and take part in bike rallies.
“Bike for Peace”, founded in 1977, aims to promote a world without nuclear weapons. The movement has organized 250 bike tours in 120 countries around the world. The organization, which includes representatives from government agencies, businesses, and social groups in Norway, has a long and fruitful history of cooperation with Kazakhstan. In 2011, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, its activists organized a multi-day bicycle ride from Semey to Almaty and Astana. In 2015, together with the ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador, famous artist Karipbek Kuyukov and the first Olympic champion of the independent Kazakhstan Vladimir Smirnov, the “Bike for Peace” movement organized Washington-New York bike ride. The Norwegian NGO plans to continue promoting the idea of a world free of nuclear weapons, particularly among the younger generation.
