While bringing up patriots of Kazakhstan, we keep in our hearts the memory of Bulgaria, said the Vice-President of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Oleg Grigorievich Dimov. He took part in the meeting of the National Assembly President Tsetska Tsacheva and the Bulgarian parliamentary delehation with the Vice-President of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Erali Lukpanovich Tugzhanov.
We carefully follow the development of Bulgaria, rejoice at your successes and live through your difficulties, said Oleg Dimov who is of Bulgarian origin. We deem it our duty to preserve and revive our mother tongue, culture and traditions, he said, noting that one of the steps to this end is the publishing of Bulgarian language phrasebook.
The relations between our two nations have historical roots; what brings them even closer is the fact that they both value tolerance, Tsetska Tsacheva said during the conversation. She noted that 4,500 ethnic Bulgarians are citizens of Kazakhstan and expressed gratitude for the conditions created by the country for preserving the language and culture of different ethnic groups. Students from Kazakhstan attending universities in Bulgaria are the young ambassadors of our two countries, said the National Assembly President.
The Vice-President of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Erali Lukpanovich Tugzhanov familiarized the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation with the Assembly's activities and noted in turn that the two nations share common roots.
The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan was established in 1995 on the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and is an important element of the political system of Kazakhstan, bringing together the interests of all ethnic groups. It is a constitutional body chaired by a President - the President of the country, and three Vice-Presidents. One of the main features of the Assembly is the representation of the interests of ethnic groups in the senior legislative body - the Parliament of the country.
Homes of friendship are functioning in all regions of Kazakhstan. Such in Astana is the Palace of Peace and Consent.
Earlier today, the President of the National Assembly and the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Abilfaizovich Idrisov. Tsetska Tsacheva extended congratulations to Kazakhstan for the trust shown in the country to organize and hold "EXPO-2017", a success achieved with the support of Bulgaria as well. She noted that Bulgarian construction companies could be involved in the preparation of the exhibition.
The Bulgarian party views the realization of a visit by Minister Erlan Idrisov to Sofia as an important step in the development of bilateral relations, said the National Assembly President. This will be the first official visit of Kazakh Foreign Minister to our country, which we hope will give a start to the preparation of a new basic agreement for bilateral friendship and cooperation. Tsetska Tsacheva characterized the Memorandum for cooperation between the National Assembly and the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, signed yesterday, as an expression of the good relations between the two parliaments and a basis for strengthening the parliamentary contacts.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrisov noted that Bulgaria, Bulgarian resorts and Bulgarian culture are well known to the citizens of Kazakhstan. Your country is present here, but not enough, he said, adding that the office of the Bulgarian-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, which was opened yesterday, will contribute to deepening the economic ties. Kazakhstan has a major program of infrastructure development, and there are opportunities for active participation of Bulgarian businessmen in its implementation, said Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister.
The parliamentary delegation paid a visit to “Nazarbayev University” and had a meeting with the management of National Company “Astana EXPO-2017”.
The parliamentary delegation of Bulgaria included the following MPs: Daniela Daritkova, Chairperson of the Healthcare committee and of the parliamentary friendship group Bulgaria-Kazakhstan; Vasil Antonov, Deputy Chairman of the Religious Denominations and Human Rights Committee and member of the Friendship Group Bulgaria-Kazakhstan; Chetin Kazak, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee and member of the Friendship Group  Bulgaria-Kazakhstan; Borislav Milanov, Deputy Chairman of the Culture and Media Committee and member of the Friendship Group  Bulgaria-Kazakhstan; Boris Yachev, Deputy Chairman of the Environment and Waters Committee and member of the Friendship Group Bulgaria-Kazakhstan.