Senate Speaker receives ICAPP Standing Committee co-Chairmen

ASTANA. March 27. KAZINFORM Today Senate Speaker Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev has received co-Chairmen of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) Jose de Venecia and Chung Eui-yong, who arrived in Astana for participation in the 10th session of the ICAPP Standing Committee; Kazinform refers to the Senate?s press service.

At the meeting there was held an exchange of opinions on the issues of extension of cooperation in Kazakhstan with the ICAPP. Emphasizing importance of the session, K.Tokayev said that such cooperation should be continued, it is a good opportunity for discussion security problems and concentration of efforts in tuning up a intercultural and interfaith dialog. ?In July Astana will host the Third Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions. Kazakhstan, where over 130 nationalities and 40 confessions live in peace and harmony, is an example of tolerance?, the Speaker said. According to him, there are all opportunities to reach fruitful cooperation in this sphere. Jose de Venecia wished success in the forthcoming holding the Congress and noted similarity of the Kazakh forum with the Philippine initiative in development of cooperation of religions. The guests expressed gratitude to the Kazakh political leadership, ?Nur Otan? Party for holding the session in Astana, which gives a good opportunity for a wide exchange of opinions on issues of development of interparty ties. Kazakhstan will chair in this organization in 2009-2012. ?Meeting in Kazakhstan is a strategic step for concentration of efforts in elaboration of methods on a struggle against poverty, religious conflicts prevention?, Jose de Venecia said.