BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan consider the further development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation, as the two countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership and allied relations.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Alimirzamin Asgarov, according to a statement issued by the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kosherbayev congratulated the Azerbaijani diplomat on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic mission.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda as well as prospects for further strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry said regular contacts and a relationship of trust between the countries’ heads of state provide a solid foundation for the consistent development of Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations.
Kosherbayev also briefed the ambassador on political and socioeconomic changes under way in Kazakhstan, noting that the country was entering a new stage of development. In this context, the sides highlighted the significance of the Kurultai elections scheduled for August 23 as an important stage in the practical implementation of Kazakhstan’s new constitutional model.
Particular attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation. The officials noted positive dynamics in bilateral trade and significant potential to expand non-resource exports, industrial cooperation and mutual investment.
The two sides also stressed the importance of further developing transit and transport cooperation. Kazakhstan regards Azerbaijan as one of its key partners in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, an increasingly important corridor connecting Central Asia with markets to the west across the Caspian Sea.
The officials also exchanged views on cooperation within international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
At the end of the meeting, Asgarov thanked the Kazakh side for the warm reception and reaffirmed his readiness to contribute to the further development of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance.
