PACE to send election observation mission to Kazakhstan

Kazakh Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Head of Kazakhstan's Mission to the EU and NATO Yerik Utembayev met with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mevlut Cavusoglu to invite him to the early parliamentary elections set for 15 January 2012 in Kazakhstan.

M. Cavusoglu said that Kazakhstan was a leader in the region thanks to its dynamic development, as well as established harmony and tolerance in Kazakh society. He congratulated Kazakhstan on the 20^th anniversary of independence and extended best wished to the people of Kazakhstan.

The parties discussed the issues of bilateral relations, particularly a draft action plan between the two countries. According to Mevlut Cavusoglu, the document can open new spheres for interaction in the long-term partnership between PACE and Kazakhstan.

The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe made a decision to send its observation mission to monitor the Majilis elections in Kazakhstan.