Kazakhstan and EU to help stabilize situation in Ukraine: President Nazarbayev

The situation in Ukraine was among the issues on the agenda at the talks in Belgium between Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. At the talks President Nazarbayev stated that the two sides would be taking efforts to help stabilize the situation in Ukraine, according to Russia’s RIA Novosti.

“Mr. Barroso and I have discussed a wide range of issues of the region scale (…) we are both concerned over what is happening in Ukraine. Sanctions are not benefitting either of the involved parties, be it Russia and Kazakhstan or the EU. We are resolved to help stabilize the situation in Ukraine to have the economic sanctions gradually lifted as they hamper development of the conflicting sides and of the global economy as well”, President Nazarbayev said when speaking to journalists jointly with President of the European Commission.

In his turn, José Manuel Barroso welcomed “Kazakhstan’s balanced stance on Ukraine” and stated that the EU supports peaceful resolution of the conflict, with Ukraine’s sovereignty being fully respected.

President Nazarbayev is on a working visit to Belgium. Among other things he met King Philippe of Belgium. Prior to his visit to Belgium he met Ukraine’s ex President Leonid Kuchma to discuss the current situation in Ukraine.