Barroso and Akhmetov debated prospects of WTO joining for Kazakhstan

During the meeting the sides discussed a wide range of topical issues of the Kazakh-European cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international agenda.

"Our relations with the EU have been and remain a strategic priority", said Akhmetov, emphasizing the interest in active collaboration.

In turn, the head of the European Commission also called for further deepening of relations across the spectrum of relationships.

One of the key issues of the meeting was to discuss a new agreement on extended partnership and cooperation. The parties agreed to give impetus to the preparation of the document. According to the Head of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the agreement will bring the relationship between Kazakhstan and the EU to a new level.

Akhmetov and Mr Barroso also discussed the prospects of the republic's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"The government of Kazakhstan is grateful for your support in negotiations to join the WTO. We hope that Kazakhstan, having passed a difficult way, will soon enter this organization, " said Akhmetov.

For his part Mr Barroso said that "the European Union, the European Commission will continue to support Kazakhstan's efforts to join the WTO."