The meeting addressed the issues of strengthening foreign economic activity of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic missions.
The meeting participants also discussed further measures to ensure meaningful participation of other states in the EXPO-2017 International Specialized Exhibition to be held in Astana.
In his speech, President Nursultan Nazarbayev set a number of new tasks before the Ministry, noting it was created a quarter century ago in a difficult time for Kazakhstan.
Today, our country has diplomatic relations with 169 countries of the world. There are 60 foreign embassies and diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan abroad, covering 94 countries. At the same time more than 50 diplomatic missions of other states and international organizations work in Kazakhstan. There are a large number of foreign policy initiatives among our country’s diplomatic achievements. For the first time in its history, Kazakhstan seeks a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. In this regard, we hope to get support from the countries with which we have friendly relations,” he said.
The President stressed the contribution of Kazakhstan’s diplomats into the development of the country’s foreign policy and thanked them for their work aimed at strengthening of the independence of the state.
Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that Kazakhstan has initiated the establishment of a number of important international organizations, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and Eurasian Economic Union. In addition, Kazakhstan hosted the OSCE summit in Astana and the 38th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
This is our powerful asset. Due to the organisation of these activities the name of our country became well-known in the international arena. At the same time, the challenges that lie ahead are no less important. Therefore, paying tribute to everything that has been already made, we now have to think about the next steps,” he added.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov delivered a speech during the meeting, noting the Ministry is going to make every effort to promote the foreign policy and economic interests of the country. He said diplomats will work further to strengthen Kazakhstan’s credibility in the international arena and to develop bilateral cooperation with foreign states.
Among the keynote speakers of the meeting were Minister of Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev, Chairman of the Board of JSC National Company Astana EXPO – 2017 Akhmetzhan Yessimov, as well as ambassadors of Kazakhstan in a number of countries.
