Kazakhstan, Astana, June 18 / Trend D.Mukhtarov /
On Monday Almaty hosted the first meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov, Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Altai Abibullayev said at a news briefing in Astana.
The meeting of the Council was dedicated to a discussion of conceptual approaches to the development of the Asian vector of Kazakhstan's foreign policy, as well as the importance of further progress in Asia of Kazakhstan's initiative in security, covering 24 states with a population of more than 3 billion people, and its transformation into a full-fledged organization.
During the discussion it was noted that the Asian vector of Kazakhstan's foreign policy also requires the further development of multifaceted cooperation with its neighbors in Central Asia. This interaction is aimed at promoting the integration process with the prospect of creating in future of the Union of Central Asian states proposed by Kazakh President.
In general, according to panelists, the current foreign policy of Kazakhstan needs more balancing with a focus on expansion of cooperation with Asian countries.
They also stressed the need to promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue with Asian countries, as well as to study their experience of state building.
The next meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry is scheduled for the second half of 2012