Kazakhstan values partnership with Vatican - Tokayev

ASTANA. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Pope Francis as part of the Kazakh leader's first official visit to the Vatican, the Kazakh presidential press service said.

"The head of state thanked the Pope for a meaningful conversation and reaffirmed Kazakhstan's intention to continue cooperation with the Holy See in promoting ideas of tolerance, harmony, and brotherhood," the press service said on the Kazakh president's official website on Friday.

The Kazakh leader expressed his gratitude to the pontiff for his relentless and selfless efforts to promote humankind's development around the world.

In the context of bilateral relations, Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan values its longstanding relations of partnership with the Holy See based on sincere friendship, accord, and mutual respect. The parties also maintain an active political dialogue and work consistently to regularize and expand the legal foundation, it said.

The Kazakh leader also appreciated Pope Francis's active efforts toward quelling hotbeds of conflicts and disagreements globally.

"Indeed, the current geopolitical turbulence undermines the entire global security architecture, causing huge human sufferings and economic problems. As a responsible state, Kazakhstan makes a substantial practical contribution to maintaining global peace and security. We participate in UN peacekeeping missions in various hotspots around the world," the press service quoted Tokayev as saying.

The pontiff thanked the Kazakh president for his contribution to the cause of peace and accord, it said.