Foreign Minister Urmas Paet Opened Estonian Embassy in Kazakhstan

07.05.2012

No 118-E

On Friday,  4 May, at the opening of the Estonian Embassy in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that over the years relations between Estonia and Kazakhstan have grown closer in many areas, and that this led to the opening of an embassy in Kazakhstan.

Paet said that Kazakhstan plays an important role in Central Asia as well as globally. “The embassy’s goal is to support economic relations, intensify foreign political co-operation, aid Estonian citizens, and issue visas,” he noted.

Paet added that Central Asia is a strategically important region for Estonia and all of Europe, especially with regards to energy supplies and security policy.

The Estonian Embassy in Astana also covers Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. The Estonian ambassador to these countries is Jaan Hein.

Both Estonia and Kazakhstan have strong economies and economic relations are essential to them, said Paet. “The Nordic and Baltic region is one of the most stable and dynamic in the world. We see potential for Kazakhstan to turn the Central Asian region into a brand as well,” he stated.

Paet asserted that closer bilateral relations would also help to promote mutual interests in international organisations. “We would like to co-operate with Kazakhstan in the UN and, if we are chosen, as fellow members of the UN Human Rights Council from 2013 to 2015,” Paet said. “We also support Kazakhstan’s co-operation with the Council of Europe and hope that soon an enhanced Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan will be signed,” he added.

Photos from the opening of the embassy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/sets/721576295978...

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