18:49, 20 April 2009 | GMT +5
Kazakh Parliamentary delegation returns from Sofia
ASTANA. April 20. KAZINFORM At the end of last week the first official visit of the Kazakh Parliamentary delegation to Sofia came to the end. It included member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security, head of parliamentary friendship group Valihan Konurbayev, members of the Committee on Legislation and Judicial-Legal Reform Olga Kikolenko and Oleg Dymov, the head of the Bulgarian Cultural Center in Kazakhstan; Press service of the Diplomatic Mission of Kazakhstan in Bulgaria reports.

On April 15 the delegation held meetings with Chairman of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Bulgaria Georgi Pirinski, ?Friendship with Kazakhstan? Group of Deputies headed by Chairman of the defense Committee Dmitry Dybov, a press briefing and took part in a reception dedicated to Nauryz Meyrami celebration.
At the meeting with the head of the Parliament V.Konurbayev emphasized Kazakhstan considers this visit as a start for a long-term and mutually beneficial dialog between the two countries? parliaments in the development of comprehensive cooperation between Astana and Sofia. Activating ?public diplomacy? will promote to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our countries and peoples.
This visit shows a serious desire of Astana to expand and strengthen bilateral relations in accordance with the foreign policy of Kazakh President N. Nazarbayev on the necessity to enhance cooperation of Kazakhstan with the Black Sea states, where Bulgaria plays a key role, having a big transit-transport and energy potential.
Appraising the state and prospects of bilateral relations, G.Pirinski expressed his readiness to expand cooperation with Astana. He highlighted successful development of Kazakhstan under leadership of President N. Nazarbayev and noted Kazakhstan?s upcoming chairmanship in the OSCE is one more striking demonstration of effective implementation of socio-economic and political reforms in the country.
G.Pirinski confirmed his invitation to Chairman of the Majilis of the Kazakhstan Parliament U. Mukhamedzhanov to pay an official visit to Sofia at his convenient time. Within this visit a Memorandum of cooperation establishing permanent links between the committees and parliamentary factions and studying the development of legislation and experience of parliamentary activity could be signed.
The two countries? representatives stated availability of long-term prospects for further enhancement of political and economic cooperation, the proximity of views on international issues and positive experience of mutual support in international organizations.
Within the meetings with the Chairman of the National Assembly and the Group of Deputies ?Friendship with Kazakhstan?, headed by D.Dybov our legislators told the colleagues about social, economic and political life and the President?s Address to the Nation, including the antirecessionary measures of the Government on stabilization of the economy.
As V.Konurbayev noted the President in his Address analyzed the current situation in the country and defined priority tasks for the future. The Deputy stressed that having accomplished structural economic reforms, Kazakhstan is able to follow effective antirecessionary policy. The Bulgarian partners were interested in the proposals of the Head of the State on further modernization of the economy and realization of the employment strategy and population retraining.
O.Kikolenko told about social policy of our country and proposed to initiate experience exchange, including the issues on support of the pensioners, disables and vulnerable layers of population.
Prospects of development of bilateral cooperation, inter -parliamentary interaction and realization of ? The Path to Europe? state program were discussed as well.
Deputy and Head of the Bulgarian Cultural Center O.Dymov informed on the policy on provision of international and inter - ethnic accord in Kazakhstan, protection of rights and interests of ethnic groups, living in Kazakhstan. He enlightened the activity of the People?s Assembly of Kazakhstan, established by the President and uniting ethnic associations of our country. The delegacy of nine reps of the Assembly to the Majilis (Lower House of the Kazakh Parliament) in 2007 and adoption of the Law on the People?s Assembly of Kazakhstan in October, 2008 became an effective measure, providing the effectiveness of the Assembly?s activity in national policy realization.
Our parliamentarians told about the international initiatives of the republic in the development of dialog between civilizations and religions, in particular, about the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions that gained acceptance and support of the major world confessions and international organizations.
The Bulgarian Deputies expressed gratitude to the people of Kazakhstan and the Head of the State for creating conditions for the Bulgarian Diaspora which continues to maintain and develop its national identity and cultural-historical heritage.
Minister of Science and Education of Bulgaria O.Dymov raised the issue and advanced forward concrete proposals on cultural and educational development of the Bulgarian Diaspora in Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh delegation held a reception, devoted to the celebration of Nauryz Holiday and on the occasion of the official visit of the parliamentary delegation to Sofia.
Serjan Abdykarimov told about the history and celebration of Nauryz Meyrami, Kazakh traditions and culture. He made an emphasis on the Message of the President of Kazakhstan ? Through Crisis to the Renewal and Prosperity?, the tasks of the OSCE Chairmanship of Kazakhstan, ?The Path to Europe? program, and a unique model of the Kazakh ethnic harmony.
On the high day the guests perceived the beauty and elegance of Kazakh folk dance performed by students of the Galina Ulanova Ballet School, under the leadership of the school principal, chairman of the Kazakh Diaspora ?Aruah? Shara Karsakpaeva. Girls dressed in bright costumes, performed the national popular dance.
The guests also had a chance to evaluate the taste of the Kazakh dishes and meals, listen to the Kazakh music, watch movies on the activities of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan and the life of the Bulgarian Diaspora, living in our country.
The visit attracted a great deal of journalists? interest and our MPs gave numerous interviews. On April 17, before departure home, Kazakh lawmakers held an extended press conference for more than 30 leading Bulgarian media on the outcomes of the visit, the economic and political life in Kazakhstan, activities of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan and the life of the ethnic Bulgarians living in peace and harmony in our country.
April 19, 2009