Kazakh parliamentary delegation participated in roundtable at European Parliament

As MEP, member of the European Parliament delegation to Kazakhstan Bogdan Marcinkiewicz noted, an idea on holding this event appeared after beginning of the Kazakh-EU talks on a new agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation. Taking into account, that, according to the Treaty of Lisbon, the main legislative body of the EU plays active role in signing international organizations, the European parliamentarians proposed to discuss prospects and directions of this document with the Kazakh parliamentarians. "Central Asia is a strategic partner of the European Union, and we should maintain it. And Kazakhstan is a country, which is a main leader of this region," B.Marcinkiewicz said.

Paolo Bartolozzi, head of the European Parliament's Delegation for Central Asia and Mongolia, outlined that the new bilateral document between the EU and Kazakhstan meets the interests of the two countries, which strive for strengthening relationships with each other. "Kazakhstan is an important political, economic and energy partner of the EU. But a modern agreement is necessary for cooperation development. In this connection the parliamentarians should exchange opinions on the current talks, which will play important role in strengthening ties between our peoples," he emphasized.

Vladimir Bobrov noted importance of such parliamentary discussion, which promotes relations development between the sides and told about main achievements of interaction between the parties over the years of cooperation.

"Presently, our relations have a powerful basis for further development and diversification of cooperation. being an active adherent to integration processes in the Central Asian region, Kazakhstan is ready to exert maximum efforts for strengthening interregional cooperation with the European partners. I am confident that the European experience in integration of the countries in a single economic and political space could be useful for our region," V.Bobrov said.

Majilis deputy Kamal Burkhanov noted importance of meetings of the sides at the parliamentary level, hence it promotes bilateral cooperation development.

As Head of Kazakhstan's Mission to the EU Yerik Utembayev noted, "taking into account new approaches in the Kazakh-European relations, it is time to develop and sign a new agreement."