Foreign Minister Paet: Kazakhstan Important Partner for Estonia in Central Asia
19.07.2010
Nr 235 – E
At his meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that an Estonian consul has started work in Astana, marking the first time an Estonian diplomat has worked in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Paet added that Kazakhstan is an important co-operation for Estonia in Central Asia.
The foreign minister stated that relations between Estonia and Kazakhstan have developed quickly. “An intergovernmental Estonia-Kazakhstan commission has started working, and soon an agreement for the protection of investments will be signed,” he said. Paet stated that there are many opportunities for economic co-operation in, for example, the transit, information technology and oil shale sectors. Paet recognised Kazakhstan for its work in resolving the Kyrgyzstan conflict during its time as the chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Estonia also considers the development of relations between the EU and Kazakhstan to be very important, in terms of both the conclusion of a framework agreement and the starting of visa facilitation negotiations. “European Union relations with Kazakhstan could set an example for the EU relations of other Central Asian countries,” Paet added. Estonia also supports Kazakhstan’s efforts to accede to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Paet invited the Kazakh foreign minister to visit Estonia.
