N.Nigmatulin: Kazakh-European inter-parliamentary relations' development accord spirit of Kazakhstan and EU equal partnership
ASTANA, June 2. KAZINFORM - Nurlan Nigmatulin, the Majilis Speaker, met with Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, and discussed a wide range of issues of Kazakhstani – European cooperation, the Majilis press service reports.
Nurlan Nigmatulin emphasized that expanding the partnership relations with the European Union (EU) is one of the strategic priorities of foreign policy of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
In turn, Jose Manuel Barroso noted that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev Kazakhstan reached great progress and it became an important country for the EU in the framework of bilateral relations as well as within the region.
The EU is the largest trade and investment partner of Kazakhstan. The European Union has 49.7% of Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover. Kazakhstan is a strategic partner of the EU in matters of energy independence and energy security.
The Majilis Speaker expressed confidence that the EU states will be able to participate in the preparation and conduction of the world exhibition EXPO-2017 titled "Energy for the future" which to be held in Astana.
Jose Manuel Barroso said that judging by the list of bills that are being considered in the Majilis, their importance and relevance suggests that the legislative work of the Majilis is at the international standards’ level.
Majilis Speaker and President of the European Commission expressed confidence that further development of the inter-parliamentary relations will comply with the spirit of equal partnership and promote greater understanding and cooperation between Kazakhstan and EU.