Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the European Council Charles Michel, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit.
Welcoming Charles Michel, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the development of strategic partnership with the European Union has always been among Kazakhstan’s top foreign policy priorities.
“Your visit presents a great opportunity to mark very remarkable achievements across all areas of partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Next year we are going to mark a milestone date – the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the EU. So we regard Your visit to Kazakhstan as a very important event, if I may say so crucial event in terms of giving additional serious impulse to further developing relationship between both EU and Kazakhstan,” President Tokayev said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that Kazakhstan is the first and the only country in Central Asia to have signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, which launched a new stage of deepened cooperation in all areas.
The President stated that both sides are witnessing high-level regular contacts that helps to strengthen the opportunities for developing a comprehensive dialogue between Kazakhstan and the EU.
In turn, President of the European Council Charles Michel thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the warm hospitality and highly welcomed the dynamic development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
“A year ago we met in person in Brussels, and since then we have been in close contact and working together in many fields. I also note the importance of working together at the regional level. I am glad to meet You in order to discuss topical issues of our cooperation, including those related to climate change,” said Charles Michel.
During the talks, President Tokayev and President Michel thoroughly discussed the energy and food security issues, as well as the cooperation in a “green” economy and transport and logistics areas. The two leaders exchanged views on the development of cooperation in the Central Asia-European Union format.