Kazakhstan-Belgium coop prospects discussed

Head of the Kazakhstan Embassy noted that in 2010 Kazakhstan would chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, while Belgium would head the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2010. "Aims and objectives of these two institutes are interconnected. In this view Astana and Brussels will work on their realization", Y. Utembayev said and expressed hope that "this will promote rapprochement of the two capitals, Europe and Asia".

The Ambassador spoke for expansion of cooperation in the economic, investment, scientific-technological, cultural and educational spheres. Top-level visits and meetings as well as interaction of the Kazakh and Belgian business circles will stimulate it. In this context Y. Utembayev proposed to consider an issue of establishing twin-city relations between Astana and Brussels.

In turn the Mayor of Brussels acquainted the Kazakh Diplomat with the development of the Belgian capital city and European Union which as he highlighted "continues despite the global financial-economic crisis and impacts on the whole metropolitan region".

The Ambassador told about the history of formation and rapid growth of Astana which reflecting dynamics of development of the whole country and invited the Mayor of Brussels to visit our capital.