BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 12. Kazakhstan and
Belgium have agreed to strengthen cooperation in education and
culture, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a media
briefing following talks with King Philippe of Belgium in Astana,
the president's press service reported.


“We have confirmed our intention to strengthen direct ties
between universities, museums and cultural institutions in our
countries, as well as develop joint educational programs and
academic exchanges. I highly appreciate the efforts of our Belgian
partners, thanks to which outstanding works by James Ensor are on
display at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. We also welcome the
development of cooperation between the Almaty Museum of Arts and
KANAL-Centre Pompidou, which clearly reflects Belgium’s creative
potential and its commitment to developing the cultural sector.
These initiatives offer our citizens a unique opportunity to
discover Belgium’s rich artistic heritage and contribute to
bringing our societies closer together. We also welcome the
progress made in facilitating travel between our countries through
amendments to the Agreement on visa exemption for holders of
service passports. The Joint Statement adopted today reflects our
shared priorities,” Tokayev said.


The talks also included an exchange of views on current
international and regional issues, according to the president's
press service.


“Kazakhstan and Belgium are firmly committed to upholding
international law, strengthening multilateral cooperation and
resolving conflicts peacefully. Amid growing global uncertainty,
dialogue, mutual trust and responsible diplomacy are becoming
particularly important. We have reaffirmed the importance of
Kazakhstan’s strategic partnership with the European Union,
enshrined in agreements signed during my recent visit to Brussels,”
Tokayev said.







Concluding his remarks, Tokayev thanked his Belgian counterparts
for a warm and symbolic gesture, noting that Kazakhstan’s national
flag was being raised for the first time in Brussels’ Grand-Place,
in front of the city hall, at the time of his address.


“Belgium’s national motto, ‘Unity makes strength’, echoes the
Kazakh proverb ‘Where there is unity, there is prosperity’. These
shared values form the basis of our friendship. I am confident that
this state visit will become a turning point in the history of
Kazakh-Belgian relations. The people of Kazakhstan will never
forget your kindness, nobility and wisdom,” Tokayev said.