Intergovernmental Commission discussed support for ethnic Germans living in Kazakhstan

On May 21 this year, the 20th Anniversary meeting of the Kazakhstan-German Intergovernmental Commission on Ethnic Germans living in Kazakhstan was held in Astana.

The meeting was headed by Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Natalie Pawlik, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities, Member of the German Bundestag.

The agenda of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission included issues of cooperation in culture, education, science and youth policy, economic interaction and stimulation of business contacts, simplification of visa regime.

The meeting took note of the desire of the parties to expand cooperation in support of ethnic Germans, who are an integral part of multinational Kazakhstan. The need for their active participation in the socio-economic development of the country was stressed.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko emphasized in his speech that «cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federal Government of Germany in support of ethnic Germans living in Kazakhstan is based on a solid foundation and excellent implementation by both sides. This is a good basis for the further development of the support policies of both sides. The justified cultural, educational and social support measures implemented by two governments will continue to ensure that ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan have a good prospect for the future and can thus make an important contribution to the good bilateral relations between the two states».

For her part, the German co-chair Natalie Pawlik, highlighted the important role played by ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan. «Ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan make a significant contribution to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and the German government supports efforts to strengthen this area of interaction,» she highlighted.

The parties agreed on further interaction in order to strengthen the «special bridge» between the two states.

At the end of the event, a Communiqué was signed which provides for future measures of the governments of the two countries to provide comprehensive support for ethnic Germans living in Kazakhstan.