Issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Vatican in promoting interreligious dialogue as one of the most important tools for maintaining peace and accord among people were discussed during the meeting.
    The Chairman thanked the Secretary of State of the Holy See for assistance in organization of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, and mentioned about the ongoing preparatory work of the Fourth Congress of leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be held in 2012 in Astana.
    “Our country attaches special importance to the issue of interreligious dialogue and accord” - Tokayev said. He also noted that “the policy of tolerance and respect for religion is the distinctive feature of our unified strategy.”
    In 2011, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization of Islamic Conference. “Kazakhstan in this position intends to improve the civilized ideas of Islam and will continue to build bridges between different religions”, - said the Chairman.
    Tarcisio Bertone praised the initiatives of Kazakhstan in the development of interreligious dialogue, and noted that “by the path of peace and accord we will achieve relations of close cooperation and brotherhood.”
Kassymzhomart Tokayev met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Gryshchenko on the same day. Issues of bilateral relations, including further strengthening of the mutual action on inter-parliamentary level were discussed at the meeting.