Skopje, 25 October 2024 (MIA) - The parliamentary group for cooperation with the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, met Friday with Kazakh Ambassador Satybaldy Burshakov.

Chairperson of the group, Nikola Konjanovski, briefed participants in the meeting on the traditional formation of such a cooperation group with the countries of the Caucasus, thus showing interest in restoring and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, the Parliament said in a press release.

"Our Embassy in Astana was opened in 2014, while Burshakov is the first resident Kazakh ambassador in Skopje, who assumed the position this year with wishes of success in his diplomatic mission. Konjanovski expressed satisfaction with the bilateral ties between our country and Kazakhstan, characterized by friendship, mutual understanding, and a shared interest in further expansion and deepening of ties. Kazakhstan's initiatives in international organizations are supported, and cooperation on a multilateral level is particularly highlighted within the UN and OSCE," the press release reads.

Ambassador Burshakov, it adds, expressed gratitude for being a guest in the Parliament, particularly on this day commemorating the Republic Day in Kazakhstan, and took the opportunity to brief the group on his country, which has been independent since 1991 when it seceded from the Soviet Union. Since then, Kazakhstan has been a dynamically developing country in Central Asia, and has built excellent strategic partnerships with both its neighbours and the global world. The EU is Kazakhstan's biggest partner, but so are Russia and China. Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest by area, with a rich history and many resources, especially known for its oil exports.

"In addition to having the same number of years of independence from former systems, the two countries are similar as multi-ethnic societies, with Kazakhstan having 130 ethnic minorities," the press release adds.

Interlocutors have welcomed mutual relations and the signing of significant agreements, and unanimously agreed that there is space and great potential to further strengthen cooperation between the two parliaments and two countries in many areas including economy, trade, energy, business, education, healthcare, culture, etc. They also left the door open for strengthening friendship, and mutual visits to exchange experience and ideas.

According to the press release, next year marks 30 years since the establishment of bilateral ties with Kazakhstan, so the Group and the Ambassador agreed to appropriately commemorate the event. ssh/nn/

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia