The Swedish Riksdag has for the first time established an Association of Friendship with the parliaments of Central Asia. This important step by Swedish politicians is aimed at creating a space for dialogue that will help strengthen the multifaceted relations between this largest Scandinavian country and the vast Central Asian region.

The online opening was attended by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Sweden K. Abdrakhmanov, Chairman of the Association X.Western, Swedish parliamentarians, the Ambassador-at-Large of the MFA of Shaimergenov, Head of International Cooperation Department of the Foreign Policy Research Institute M. Kabaziyev, Corporate Secretary of the Foreign Policy Research Institute O.Dossov, Director of IWEP at the Foundation of Nursultan Nazarbayev E. Altybaev etc.

The participants of the event were familiarized with the implementation of agreements on the development of relations between the Central Asian countries, the region's great economic potential, the state and prospects of traditionally close cooperation between Kazakhstan and Sweden, as well as the process of reforms in Kazakhstan's society.

Swedish parliamentarians had shown particular interest in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively. The Association members also exchanged views on other topical issues of international relations and geopolitics in Central Asia.