Kazakhstan is Lithuania's key partner in Central Asia - Prime Minister Butkevičius

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov and his Lithuanian counterpart Algirdas Butkevičius have had talks in an expanded format in Astana today.

The prime ministers of Kazakhstan and Lithuania met prior to the Kazakhstan-Lithuania Business Forum that will open in the Kazakh capital later today. The sides negotiated the issues of bilateral cooperation and touched upon the topical issues on the agenda. "I truly hope that your visit as well as visit of your delegation will give us an opportunity to expand and deepen relations between our countries and nations," Prime Minister Massimov said, addressing his Lithuanian colleague. "Kazakhstan is Lithuania's key partner in Central Asia. We enjoy good political, economic and cultural relations. I really appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in Astana. I am thankful for the invitation to visit your country. Thank you for a cordial reception," Algirdas Butkevičius said in turn. The Lithuanian Prime Minister went on to congratulate Kazakhstan on the 20th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the 20th anniversary of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan and the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh khanate. "Please accept my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to your country," he added. The Kazakhstan-Lithuania Business Forum is set to be held in Astana today with the participation of both prime ministers. More than 200 Kazakh and Lithuanian government officials, entrepreneurs, and representatives of development institutes and business associations will participate. Kazakhstan and Lithuania are expected to ink a number of bilateral documents following results of the forum.