As from the 01st of January 2009 the Honorary Consul, Mr. A. Talpakov, in Atyrau has had to terminate his duties. Mr. Talpakov has been transferred to another city in Kazakhstan. Dutch nationals residing in the jurisdiction of the Honorary Consulate in Atyrau (being the provinces Atyrau and Mangistau) will have to turn to the Embassy office of the Netherlands in Almaty for consular assistance as per the 01st of January 2009. This also applies for visa applications which at times would be submitted through Mr. Talpakov. A Honorary Consulate in West-Kazakhstan will remain to exist, but temporarily (until a new Honorary Consul has been appointed) requests for consular assistance cannot be put forward.