Kazakhstan - important partner of EU in Central Asian region, Catherine Ashton

BRUSSELS. February 3. KAZINFORM /Dimash Syzdykov/ Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Kazykhanov has held talks with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Brussels.

Regular meetings of heads of the Kazakh and European diplomacy at the beginning of the year have become a good tradition. Within the framework of the meetings the topical current matters and prospects of bilateral relations are discussed.

As is known, cooperation of Kazakhstan with the European Union is one of the strategic priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy. The agreements reached within the meetings of President N.Nazarbayev with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy confirmed this.

At the meeting the Kazakh Minister expressed confidence in early completion of the negotiation process on Kazakhstan's accession to the WTO.

In this context Y.Kazykhanov outlined importance of an early award of status of "a market-economy country" to Kazakhstan during conducting anti-dumping investigations by the EU.

The Kazakh diplomat called on the European side for liberalization of the visa regime on the basis of reciprocity, and in this connection he spoke for carrying out talks on agreements between Kazakhstan and the EU on simplified regime of trips of citizens and readmission.

"As we consider, simplification of the visa procedures between the EU and Kazakhstan will be on the agenda," Y.Kazykhanov said.

The sides noted importance of continuation of development of the regional cooperation and further implementation of "New Partnership Strategy" between the EU and the Central Asian countries.

The Kazakh Minister informed C.Ashton in detail of large projects and socio-economic tasks set in the President's State-of-the-Nation Address, as well as of the parliamentary elections held recently in the country.

The EU High Representative outlined that "thanks to its great potential and opportunities, active position in the international arena, Kazakhstan is an important partner of the European Union in the region."

The sides exchanged opinions on the international agenda, including the situation around Iran and Syria. C.Ashton backed Kazakhstan's activity on the post of the OIC chair country.

The Kazakh Foreign Minister invited the head of the European diplomacy to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan.