Kazakh president praises EU for active dialogue with Central Asian countries

ISTANBUL

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday praised the active dialogue between the EU and Central Asian countries during a meeting with the bloc's special representative for the region, Eduards Stiprais, in Astana.

According to the Kazakh presidential press service Akorda, Tokayev underlined the importance of strengthening the ties between the EU and Kazakhstan.

“The head of state noted that the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the 10th anniversary of which is being celebrated this year, was an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations,” the statement said, adding that Tokayev defined the EU as one of Kazakhstan's “key and reliable partners”.

Meanwhile, Stiprais reaffirmed the EU's commitment to strengthening relations with Kazakhstan.

He also expressed confidence in the development of cooperation on the bilateral and regional agenda.

The 27-member bloc has increased its engagement with Central Asia over the past years, with commitments to deepening cooperation following an inaugural EU-Central Asia summit held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in April.