to examine public opinion on bills under consideration by the Parliament and other pressing issues. MPs visit for their or other regions quarterly and meet with different groups of people, get acquainted with the situation on the fields, answer citizens’ questions, comment on major provisions of laws adopted by the Parliament. Standing committees Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judicial System and Law Enforcement Bodies Committee on Finance and Budget Committee on International Relations, Defense and Security Committee on Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Committee on Social and Culture Development and Science Committee on Exploitation of Natural Resources and Development of Rural Areas MPs’ inquiries and questions MPs’ inquiry is an official request addressed at a joint and separate sessions of the Chambers of the Parliament to state officials to obtain information on specific matters related to the competence of this body or an official. Member of the Senate has the right to make an inquiry to the Prime Minister and the Government, Chairman of the National Bank, Chairman and members of Central Election Commission, Prosecutor General, Chairman of the National Security Committee, Chairman and members of the Accounts committee for control over execution of the republican budget. Up to now members of the Senate have made more than thousand inquiries on various issues of state and public life. Senate's international activities Parliament’s involvement in international activity of Kazakhstan and engagement of MPs in identifying and implementing foreign policy of our country has significantly increased. Senators actively participate in the work of such inter-parliamentary organizations as Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community, Parliamentary Assemblies of CSTO, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Interparliamentary Union, European Parliament, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly of NATO, Turk PA. Senate of the Parliament makes a significant contribution to the activity of inter-parliamentary organizations and promotion of inter-parliamentary dialogue, enhancing integration of Kazakhstan into the world community, increase its role and capacity to shape decision making process in line with their national interests. Involvement of the Senate of the Parliament in international parliamentary organizations: Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) Parliamentary Assembly of the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO PA) Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian