K.Tokayev held range of meetings in Istanbul

ASTANA. April 7. KAZINFORM Chairman of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, participating in the II Forum of Alliance of Civilizations, held a range of bilateral meetings, Kazinform refers to the press service of the Senate.

At the meeting with Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew I the Speaker conveyed him an invitation of the Kazakh President to take part in the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and traditional Religions that will be held in July, 2009 in Astana. Patriarch Bartholomew I accepted the invitation with gratitude and expressed intention to participate in the coming forum. K.Tokayev also conveyed the invitation of the Head of the State to Ex-President of Iran Mohammad Khatami to take part in the Congress in Astana. Issues of further strengthening of bilateral relations were discussed at the meeting with President of Finland Tarja Halonen. New NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted that the partnership with Kazakhstan is considered as an important direction of the activity of the Alliance. He expressed satisfaction with the pace and scope of cooperation with Kazakhstan within the Individual Plan of Actions and expressed hope on early contacts with the President of Kazakhstan. K.Tokayev held negotiations with President of the Republic of Slovenia Danilo Türk, Prime Minister of Spain Jose Zapatero and Foreign Minister of this country Miguel Moratinos as well.