BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov.28
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
Kazakhstan is preparing a draft of the intergovernmental agreement for Russia on creation of special economic zone (SEZ) Baikonur, within the framework of which creation of the same name entertainment and tourist area, which will include tourism facilities, a representative of Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism (RussiaTourism) told Trend.
Kazakhstan’s Baikonur city is the administrative and living center of major Baikonur Cosmodrome. The city and the Cosmodrome together create a Baikonur complex, which Russia rents from Kazakhstan till 2050.
According to the RussiaTourism representative, according to the rent agreement, the renter of the Cosmodrome represented by Russia’s Government has taken the responsibility to support and develop material, technical, technological and scientific research base of the Baikonur complex.
In turn, as noted by the representative of Aerospace Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense And The Aerospace Industry (Kazcosmos), the transition of Baikonur facilities from military units of Russia’s Defense Ministry to Roscosmos making the complex civilian.
Thus, on May 21, 2009 Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement to simplify the order of visiting the Baikonur complex. As noted in RussiaTourism, visits of Baikonur by foreigners from territory of Kazakhsran is currently prohibited, however it may be visited from the territory of Russia by obtaining a special pass.
“Since the agreement signing, Kazakh and Russian tourism operators are organizing trips to Baikonur complex. When visiting the Cosmodrome, tourists get acquainted with historic place and also witness the launch of space rockets,” Kazcosmos representative said.
Furthermore, according to Kazcosmos representative, tourism visits do not affect the work of Baikonur Cosmodrome.
“Talking about the tourism zone, Kazakhstan is developing the proposal for Russia on the draft of intergovernmental agreement for creation of SEZ Baikonur, within the framework of which they are planning to crease entertainment and tolurism some of the same name, where tourism facilities are to operate,” RussiaTourism representative said.
He noted that SEZ Baikonur is included in TOP-10 tourism development facilities.
“At the same time, as we know, SEZ will not be on the territory of Cosmodrome so it won’t affect its work. However, as the intergovernmental agreement is still only a draft its too early to make any conclusions,” RussiaTourism representative said.
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