On the visit of the Chairman of the Mazhilis to Bern and the strengthening of the Kazakh-Swiss interparliamentary dialogue

Bern, March 25 – 26. As part of the official visit of Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Koshanov to Bern, the Kazakh delegation held talks with President of the National Council of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland Eric Nussbaumer and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.

During the meeting with the President of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly Eric Nussbaumer, the Speaker of the Mazhilis thanked for the invitation and noted the importance of the political and economic partnership between the two countries. According to him, a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations was opened as a result of the first official visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Switzerland in November 2021. The Chairman of the Mazhilis informed about the implementation of the presidential course of reforms, the work of the multiparty Mazhilis of the VIII convocation, including the new laws adopted.

The interlocutors discussed the prospects for cooperation through parliamentary friendship groups, committees and party factions, considered new opportunities in trade, economic, transport and logistics, environmental, energy, educational and research spheres. Mineral processing, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering and instrumentation, tourism and financial services are of particular relevance.

At the end of the meeting, Yerlan Koshanov invited Swiss schwingen wrestlers (a national type of wrestling similar to "Kazakh kuresi") to take part in the V World Nomad Games in Astana.

In his turn, the President of the National Council of Switzerland highly appreciated the process of developing democracy in Kazakhstan, expressed support for the ongoing reforms in the country and confidence in the further development of the Kazakh-Swiss interparliamentary dialogue.

At a meeting with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, the Speaker of the Mazhilis assured that the partnership between Kazakhstan and Switzerland will be strengthened in the spirit of mutual respect, friendship and trust, including through parliaments. He stressed that Kazakhstan highly appreciates the Swiss side's support for Kazakhstan's initiatives in the international arena, primarily in the UN and its structures.

Ignazio Cassis noted the high level of relations between the two countries, and referring to his many years of parliamentary experience in the National Council, stressed the growing role of inter-parliamentary ties in establishing stability in the world.

At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the simplification of the Schengen visa regime for Kazakhstani citizens and the conclusion of a Memorandum on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.