Astana, 9^th of November, House of the Mazhilis. Today, the Parliamentary Friendship Group "Republic of Kazakhstan – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" met with the members of the Consultative Assembly of the KSA.

                In his welcome speech, head of the friendship group Meyram Pshembayev stressed the importance of the meeting, which will strengthen the parliamentary cooperation. Speaking about the bilateral relations, the MP noted that Kazakhstan perceives Saudi Arabia as a partner in the Islamic world. In this regard, the sides noted the importance of the congress of the world religions taking place in Astana as spearheaded by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the MP thanked Saudi Arabia for active participation in the congress.

                Noting the role of the bilateral cooperation, head of the group of friendship with Kazakhstan Ahmad AL-GAMDI drew attention to the long-standing spiritual and cultural relations between the two countries, which received a new impetus by contacts at the highest level. Speaking about Saudi Arabia as being one of the first countries in the world to recognize Kazakhstan's proclamation of independence, the guest highly appreciated the role of President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the development of the young state, and in this context, he warmly spoke about the new capital of the country, naming Astana one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

                The issues of the investment policy, machinery engineering, potential for the growth of trade turnover, strengthening peace, countering terrorism, and further expansion of the interparliamentary cooperation were also addressed in the conversation.

(Disseminated by the Press Office of the Mazhilis – 746303. Photo by Zhaslan Kuspanov).