Addressing the journalists, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that his recent visit to Brussels took place at a time when the Parliament of Kazakhstan was ratifying the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union.
“Some provisions of the document will take effect from May 1, but the Agreement’s entry into force requires its ratification by all 28 EU member states. And we have reached agreement on that as well,” he said.
Major points on the agenda of negotiations with leaders of the European Council and the European Commission, Nursultan Nazarbayev said, involved removing restrictions on a number of flights of Kazakh airlines in Europe and simplification of visa regime for the citizens of our country.
Nursultan Nazarbayev also outlined the main theme of the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington, D.C. He stressed the importance of countering terrorism and preventing the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of extremists.
“This requires concerted efforts and cooperation of the entire international community. I believe it is necessary to create a single global network that would keep a close eye on everyone who is involved in terrorist organizations,” he maintained.
The President noted that today it is important to ensure safe use of nuclear energy.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev told about the meetings with heads of delegations on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.
“I have just had a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We have agreed that in the autumn, during my visit to Tokyo, we will adopt a special plan for the development of our cooperation in different sectors of the economy. Japan is a partner of Kazakhstan in many areas. It is a country that helped us a lot in the rehabilitation of victims of nuclear tests in Semipalatinsk. I have also held meetings with the leadership of the United States, in particular with Secretary of State John Kerry, as well as the leaders of Ukraine and Mexico,” he said.
Answering the questions of journalists, Nursultan Nazarbayev said he had discussed future prospects of the EU and EAEU interaction with the leadership of the European Council and the European Commission.
“This is not a simple matter. Many Westerners have ambiguous perception of the Eurasian Economic Union. Some people suppose the project is aimed at the “revival of the USSR.” Therefore I have proposed to hold a joint conference of representatives of the two organizations, including politicians and experts, in order to set the record straight. This would enable our countries to get our mutual trade on the right track, which is objectively constrained today. I’m talking about the sanctions of the West against Russia. However, if the EU, EAEU and SCO open borders for trade, it will bring great benefit to the entire Eurasia,” he said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev summed up the results of Kazakhstan’s participation in the 4th Nuclear Security Summit.
“The four summits held on the initiative of the US President have brought significant benefit for all. Today there are a lot of nuclear weapons in the world, enough to destroy the whole planet. Therefore, the issue of disarmament determines our future, as well as that of our descendants,” he said.
The President added that every year the summit brings together heads and representatives of more than 50 countries from across the world to address the most pressing nuclear security issues.
“Following these negotiations, decisions are made within the framework of the UN. Each state has an opportunity to tell about measures it takes in this direction: for instance, the way it ensures security of the nuclear facilities and prevents the possibility of nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists. The next meeting of the kind might be held in Kazakhstan taking into account the fact that our country closed the nuclear testing ground and abandoned the largest nuclear arsenal in the world” he concluded.
