On February 24, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliyev held talks in Astana.
Kasymaliyev is on his first official visit abroad since the appointment as the head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers in December, which testifies to Kazakhstan’s importance for Kyrgyzstan.
According to the Kazakh government’s press service, the parties reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov. The prime ministers discussed issues related to trade and economic, investment, transit and transport, water and energy, agro-industrial, tourism, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
“Trustful relations between the heads of our states in the spirit of mutual respect and sincere friendship contribute to bringing the multifaceted cooperation to a new level. Strengthening and deepening of trade relations has a multiplicative effect on the development of the economies of the two countries. Last year mutual trade increased again, totaling $1.7 billion. At the same time, we see a significant potential for further increasing trade and economic cooperation,” Bektenov emphasized.
“Bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring states is of special strategic importance. Since ancient times, our neighboring peoples have been united by centuries-old friendship, good-neighborly and brotherly relations, common culture, language and customs,” Kasymaliyev said.
The sides discussed mechanisms to unlock the existing potential and increase trade turnover.
In the transit and transport sphere, a set of measures is being implemented to increase the capacity of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. Road border checkpoints are being modernised and expanded, including Aksu-Kamyshanovka and Besagash – Kichi-Kapka.
Special attention was paid to water and energy cooperation. The issues of water supply from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan during the growing season along the Shu and Talas rivers, safe operation of the Kirov reservoir, and regional energy security were discussed.
In tourism, the sides discussed measures to develop new tourist destinations, including the creation of cross-border eco-routes, the development of infrastructure for active tourism, and attracting investment in the hotel business.
With regard to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, this year the Days of Kazakh Cinema in Kyrgyzstan are planned, as well as issues of opening branches of Kazakh universities in Kyrgyzstan are being worked out.
Photo: gov.kg
