Kazakh-Kyrgyz sales turnover likely to reach USD 1 bln: N. Nazarbayev
After the official greeting ceremony at Akorda (presidential residence) the bilateral negotiations were carried out in narrow and expanded format. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev discussed pressing issues of bilateral cooperation, outlines objectives for further development of commercial and economic and cultural and humanitarian collaboration and defined perspective directions of interaction between two nations. In course of negotiations the sides touched upon Kazakhstan's participation in construction of water engineering facilities in Kyrgyzstan.
In addition, the parties exchanged views on how to strengthen security and stability in the region and stressed the importance of deepening the interaction within the international organizations.
Upon results of the meeting presidents of two countries agreed to boost mutually profitable cooperation in the field of energy, agriculture, transport and communications, mining and processing industries, tourism and other spheres. Moreover, the heads of the states charged the authorized bodies to prepare and conduct the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Supreme Interstate Council and Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council.
After the official part of the program President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Kyrgyz colleague Almazbek Atambayev addressed a briefing.
President Nazarbayev especially emphasized that over the period between 1991-2011 Kazakhstan invested more than USD 1 billion into Kyrgyzstan's economy. The sales turnover between the countries amounted to USD 750 million in 2011, increasing for 27 per cent in comparison with 2010.
"The bilateral sales turnover is likely to reach USD 1 billion in the nearest future. Since 2010 Kazakhstan provided Kyrgyz nation with USD 20 million in voluntary humanitarian aid. Construction materials worth USD 7 million were provided to Kyrgyzstan as well. In addition, Kazakhstan gave Kyrgyzstan USD 3 million within the framework of military cooperation. Thus, in general Kazakhstan allotted USD 30 million to Kyrgyzstan. In 2011 our humanitarian aid made USD 4 million. I believe this is an unprecedented demonstration of good neighbour relations between our countries," Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed out.
According to President of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Investment Fund is expected to start its operations soon.
"We instructed the governments to prepare for signing a bilateral agreement on the order of Kyrgyz citizens' stay on the territory of Kazakhstan in line with which they may stay in Kazakhstan for up to 90 days. Taking into account the importance of promoting the cross-border cooperation, we have made a decision to open "Kegen-Karkara" control border checkpoint. The parties also debated Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Customs Union and single economic space of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus," Nursultan Nazarbayev added.
In his turn, President of Kyrgyzstan thanked his colleague from Kazakhstan for his invitation and cordial reception.
"I would like to thank Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakhstani investors for their continued support. Despite various political developments, level of Kazakhstan's investments into Kyrgyzstan has not decreased. We feel Kazakhstan's support and it is high time to pass from words to deeds," Almazbek Atambayev said.
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. With a view to strengthen ties between people of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Almaznek Atambayev decided to install a monument to Abay in Bishkek and to Manas in Astana and name the streets in the capitals after Shokan Ualikhanov and Chingiz Aitmatov.
Upon results of the negotiations the sides adopted joint statement.
