AKIPRESS.COM - Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom aim to further strengthen the strategic partnership in the context of the important social and political processes taking place in the two states, including Kazakhstan’s large-scale reform programme and implementation of the long-term development strategy, as well as the UK leaving the European Union, the MFA of Kazakhstan reported.

These issues were discussed at the meeting between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko and the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Christopher Pincher MP.

The diplomats focused on current and new topics on bilateral and multilateral agenda and touched upon the outcomes of the recent Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2019, the Kazakh-British Business Council and the 6th meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.

Vassilenko briefed his colleague on the current situation and the political changes taking place in Kazakhstan.

The Minister of State Pincher praised the dynamics of the process of Kazakhstan’s political modernisation and reiterated the UK’s commitment to the further development of strategic partnership with Kazakhstan. He noted that the opening of the Astana International Financial Centre, which operates based on the principles and norms of English common law is one of the significant achievements of bilateral cooperation.

The sides also discussed the new draft Agreement on strategic partnership and cooperation between the two states, the signing of which is planned after the UK leaves the European Union.

Speaking about the situation in the region, the sides noted the measures undertaken by Kazakhstan to help restore peace in Afghanistan, including the educational project for Afghan women recently launched in Kazakhstan and funded by the European Union.