Kazykhanov met with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton

"I am always amazed by a breathtaking list of Kazakhstan's initiatives in the international arena. We look forward to a long-term relationship," the EU High Representative said. The parties discussed issues of EU - Kazakhstan cooperation in light of agreements reached between President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy during the top level meetings held in 2010.

An important issue of the discussion was the negotiation process concerning a new basic agreement on advanced partnership and cooperation between Brussels and Astana. The two sides exchanged position papers, presenting their vision of this document.

Kazykhanov also informed Mrs. Ashton that Kazakhstan would promote its initiative on simplifying the visa regime between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU. It was noted that on the instruction of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Government of Kazakhstan is working on simplification of visa regime for the 34 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, up to the complete abolition of visa requirements for citizens of these countries, which will stimulate the flow of business and investment in Kazakhstan.

They also discussed issues of cooperation in trade and economy, and removing Kazakh airlines from the EU blacklist.