ASTANA – Trade, economic, investment, transit and transport cooperation were discussed between Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Qatari Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah June 17 during the latter’s official visit to Kazakhstan.
Nazarbayev commended the high level of relations between the two nations.
“I am confident your visit will bring our cooperation to a higher level. Qatar has greatly contributed to the construction of our capital, Astana, especially [by financing the construction of the] Nur Astana mosque,” he said.
The head of state also thanked the Qatari side for its assistance regarding the planned construction of a rehabilitation centre for victims of Soviet nuclear tests in Semey. The project is being implemented within the framework of cooperation between the Nazarbayev Foundation for Culture, Education and Social Programmes and the Qatar Development Fund.
In turn, Al Attiyah conveyed the greetings of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to the President and expressed hope for the further strengthening of the nations’ bilateral partnership.
Al Attiyah met the same day with Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, where they discussed the prospects of deepening political dialogue and increasing trade, economic and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Special attention was paid to implementing the agreements reached during Emir Tamim’s visit in 2014, including creation of the Kazakhstan and Qatar joint investment fund and opening of the direct air route between the two states. In addition, one of the main aims of Al Attiyah’s trip to Astana was preparation for Nazarbayev’s upcoming visit to Qatar this fall. “We are grateful for the intention of Emir Al Thani to fund the building of a school in Astana. The Akimat of Astana and Qatar Development Fund have already started work on it,” said Idrissov. “Qatar and Kazakhstan enjoy good, friendly relations. Qatar sees great potential in terms of developing the investment cooperation with Kazakhstan,” Al Attiyah said at the joint press briefing with Idrissov following their talks. “We are focusing on mutual cooperation whether it is agriculture, energy or aviation.”
The foreign minister noted he has appreciated each of his visits to the nation.“Every time I come to Kazakhstan I learn something new in your country. It is very dynamic and changing, which is good to see,” Al Attiyah said. During the meeting, they exchanged views on topical international issues including the situation in the Middle East, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen, as well as the Ukrainian crisis, as reported by the Kazakh foreign ministry. The counterparts underlined that only the collective efforts of all interested sides can help solve the problems. “Kazakhstan and Qatar are not only peace loving, but also peacemaking countries,” said Al Attiyah.The two ministers also positively assessed mutual cooperation within international and regional organisations such as the United Nations (UN), Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
