Visually-impaired version 
On May 25th, 2024, during his visit to Kazakhstan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met with students of Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU). This event is organized with the support of the Kingdom of Netherlands’ Embassy in Kazakhstan. During his speech, Mr. Rutten spoke about the role of the Netherlands in Europe, bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan, his political experience and contribution to various fields such as innovation, cultural exchange and economic opportunities.
Chairman of the Board of MNU Talgat Narikbayev thanked the guest for his visit to the university and expressed gratitude for the attention to the development of bilateral relations.
- “Your visit to Maqsut Narikbayev University is an honor for our entire university. Your presence here at the university is also an example of the ties that Kazakhstan and the Netherlands have established, in particular, in the field of higher education. Therefore, MNU, as a leading university of humanities and social sciences, is proud to play a key role in strengthening ties between our two countries,” he greeted the Head of the Dutch Government.
The Prime Minister began his meeting by explaining the purpose of his visit to Kazakhstan, noting that this is not his first visit to the country.
- “Of course, we are talking about potential cooperation in the context of economic relations, including the diversification of our economy from traditional energy sources to non-traditional ones. We are talking about companies that had a representative office in Kazakhstan, as well as fund and resource management, which is also an important aspect of cooperation with Kazakhstan. Of course, hydrocarbons and green technologies play a key role, as energy is very important now. In this context, we are working with Morocco, Oman and other countries, and Kazakhstan is part of this list. We need to move to such an economic model, and we are jointly trying to resolve these issues. It is a great honor for me to be here today,” he said.
The main purpose of this meeting was to develop cooperation with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and provide students with the opportunity to ask their questions to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
The event aroused great interest among students, teachers and guests of the university, providing them with a unique opportunity to meet with one of the most experienced politicians of our time and learn directly about important international issues and prospects for the development of bilateral relations. Issues covering a wide range of topics were discussed: from political relations between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan to aspects of cultural interaction.
The meeting of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands with students became a significant contribution to the academic life of the university, contributed to the strengthening of international relations and opened new horizons for further cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.
Maqsut Narikbayev University has previously hosted French President Emmanuel Macron. Such visits provide students with the opportunity to communicate directly with world leaders, allowing them to learn about their views and experiences.