Experts praise Astana Club meetings

    The second meeting of the Astana Club - an international discussion platform where leading experts and public figures in the areas of policy and economy discuss key development issues for Eurasian region - has ended in Astana.
    As was reported earlier, the first session took place on November 14 when analysts discussed the influence of global challenges on the Eurasian continent.
    Officials from China, Russia, the US, the European Union, Iran, Turkey and others shared opinions.
    After the opening session, participants met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
    The second day of the discussions on November 15 reflected the vision of the region's problems by world's major players.
    On November 16, during the final session the experts discussed the matters of consolidation of the Eurasian continent and its transformation into the space of partnership rather than space of a battle.
    Afterwards the experts met with Senate Chairman Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev and Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan Idrissov. They asked many questions concerning Kazakhstan's standing on various international topics.
    Speaking on the discussion Former Deputy Director General of the UNESCO Peter Smith noted many vital issues were raised related to the development of Eurasia – from the development of transport infrastructure to safety issues.
    "The main value of the discussions was that all aspects of development of the Eurasian region were considered in one sitting," Smith commented, according to Kazinform.