President of the European Council António Costa called President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU. During the conversation, Tokayev invited Costa to Kazakhstan for an official visit, as reported by Kazakhstan’s president’s office.
“Initiated by the European side, a phone conversation took place between President Tokayev and President of the European Council António Costa. The conversation was focused on discussing key issues and prospects of strengthening cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan,” the office said in a statement.
Tokayev noted that although EU-Kazakhstan relations are progressing, there is a need to strengthen links in the fields of trade, investment, energy and transportation, among others.
«In conclusion of the conversation, Tokayev invited Costa to Kazakhstan for an official visit,» the statement read.
Earlier this year, the EU outlined steps to simplify the visa regime for Kazakhstan. To reach an agreement, a unified list of documents for visa applications must be introduced, along with reduced consular fees, shortened processing time for applications and extended validity periods of multiple-entry visas.
Notably, negotiations on lifting the visa regime for Kazakhstanis entering EU states are anticipated to begin this year.
