Kazakh Foreign Minister held a number of bilateral meetings in Brussels

Brussels, May 10, 2021 - Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi held a number of bilateral meetings during his visit to Brussels.

During the meeting with Josep Borrell, the Vice-President of the European Commission – High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, he discussed topical issues of further expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU. The parties emphasized that the implementation of the full potential of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU meets the interests of both sides and will contribute to the restoration of economic growth and development in the post-pandemic period.

Josep Borrell was briefed on the implementation of  political and economic reforms initiated by President Tokayev within the framework of the Listening State.

The parties agreed that high-level visits give significant impetus to the relations and discussed the prospects for the next meetings. They exchanged views on a number of topical issues on the international agenda. The parties discussed the cooperation of the European Union with Central Asia with a focus on the implementation of projects and programs aimed at the sustainable development of the region.

"We should expand cooperation with Kazakhstan within the framework of the EU strategy for Central Asia, especially in terms of post-pandemic recovery, connectivity and security," the EU High Representative said.

At the end of the meeting, the diplomats agreed on a schedule for the upcoming events this year within the framework of the cooperation structures of Kazakhstan-the EU and the EU-Central Asia. Tleuberdi invited his colleague to visit Kazakhstan at a convenient time.

The Foreign Minister also held meetings with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, David McAllister, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, and the MEP, Chairman of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group, Richard Czarnecki. During the meetings, issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, the development of civil society, the schedule of parliamentary contacts and mutual visits of parliamentarians, as well as the implementation of political reforms in Kazakhstan were discussed.

Following the exchange of views, the parties agreed to conduct a constructive, mutually respectful dialogue in the field of human rights protection.

Tileuberdi also held talks with Augusto Santos Silva, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Portugal, who currently holds the presidency of the EU Council. The diplomats discussed a number of issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on topical regional and international issues.

As part of the promotion of trade and investment cooperation, the Minister held a number of meetings with the management of major European companies operating in Kazakhstan and those interested in working in the Kazakh market.