Yevgeny Bolgert, a member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, paid a working visit to Paris, where he participated in events dedicated to constitutional reforms in Kazakhstan and a discussion of geoeconomic opportunities and geopolitical challenges in Central Asia. During the visit, key provisions of the country's ongoing constitutional reform, its institutional innovations, and their significance for further political development were discussed, as well as issues of strengthening regional stability and expanding cooperation between Europe and Asia.
The discussions took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in France and the French Senate. Specifically, the French Senate hosted a conference on "Geoeconomic Opportunities and Geopolitical Challenges in Kazakhstan and Central Asia," organized with the support of Vice President of the French Senate Loïc Hervé and at the initiative of the French think tank Institut Prospective et Sécurité en Europe.
The conference was attended by Gulsara Arystankulova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France; Yevgeny Bolgert, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Iskander Akylbayev, CEO of Xander Group. In their welcoming speeches, they noted Kazakhstan's strategic importance as a systemically important state in Central Asia, its role in ensuring regional stability, developing transport connectivity, and strengthening economic cooperation between Europe and Asia.
Speaking at the conference, Yevgeny Bolgert emphasized that France is one of Kazakhstan's strategic partners in the European Union.
"France is one of Kazakhstan's strategic partners in the European Union and is among the largest investors in our economy. Direct investment exceeds USD 21 billion. Nearly 200 French companies and joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan across various sectors. France was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan's independence, and last month, diplomatic relations between our countries celebrated 34 years," the senator noted.
He also noted the symbolism of holding the discussions during a period of large-scale constitutional reform and significant political transformation in Kazakhstan.
"It is symbolic that the discussion took place during a crucial period of large-scale constitutional reform for our country. It is important that partners in Europe and other regions receive information directly, without distortion or interpretation. It is precisely such open dialogue formats that foster reliable and long-term relations between countries," emphasized Yevgeny Bolgert.
During the visit, the senator briefed French parliamentarians and the expert community on the amendments to the draft of the updated Constitution, the upcoming referendum, and key laws recently adopted in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, on the sidelines of the event, Yevgeny Bolgert held a brief working meeting with French Senator Philippe Foliot, a representative of the Union of Centrists political group.
Following the discussions, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further deepening cooperation between France and Kazakhstan, including in the areas of political dialogue, economics, and the development of transport connectivity.
(Press Office of the Senate, 74-72-27)
