Spanish, Kazakh relations not affected by resignation of Nazarbayev
- hace 5 años
Madrid, Mar 29 (EFE).- Relations between Kazakhstan and Spain will not be affected by last week's resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Central Asian country's deputy foreign minister confirmed in Madrid on Friday.
Deputy Minister Roman Vassilenko told EFE following programmed consultations with his Spanish counterpart that the new president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had pledged continuity of the foreign and national political agenda set by his predecessor.
Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Fernando Valenzuela confirmed that the current political situation in both countries "will not have an impact on our relations, which will continue at the same level with the same intensity."
Nazarbayev - Kazakhstan's first president and in power for almost 30 years - announced his decision to retire on March 19, beginning a transition period for the Central Asian country.
Vassilenko said Kazakhstan has as one of its top priorities strong relations with the European Union "and of course Spain is a key player in the European Union."
He said the consultations also helped advance cooperation in organizations in which both countries are part, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"Our relations this year will mark the 10th anniversary of Spain and Kazakhstan's strategic partnership, and these are not just mere words: it is reflected in the volume of our trade, some $2 billion annually," Vassilenko noted.
The deputy minister said he was pleased with the results of the meeting that included a blueprint for "the signing of numerous agreements, such as an agreement on air services and on scientific and technical cooperation."
Vassilenko said the strength of their bilateral relations is due to "the affection that the people of Kazakhstan have for Spain and for its cultural wealth, which it has shared with the world."
Deputy Minister Roman Vassilenko told EFE following programmed consultations with his Spanish counterpart that the new president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had pledged continuity of the foreign and national political agenda set by his predecessor.
Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Fernando Valenzuela confirmed that the current political situation in both countries "will not have an impact on our relations, which will continue at the same level with the same intensity."
Nazarbayev - Kazakhstan's first president and in power for almost 30 years - announced his decision to retire on March 19, beginning a transition period for the Central Asian country.
Vassilenko said Kazakhstan has as one of its top priorities strong relations with the European Union "and of course Spain is a key player in the European Union."
He said the consultations also helped advance cooperation in organizations in which both countries are part, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"Our relations this year will mark the 10th anniversary of Spain and Kazakhstan's strategic partnership, and these are not just mere words: it is reflected in the volume of our trade, some $2 billion annually," Vassilenko noted.
The deputy minister said he was pleased with the results of the meeting that included a blueprint for "the signing of numerous agreements, such as an agreement on air services and on scientific and technical cooperation."
Vassilenko said the strength of their bilateral relations is due to "the affection that the people of Kazakhstan have for Spain and for its cultural wealth, which it has shared with the world."