Armenia wants stronger ties with Kazakhstan, Khachaturyan tells Tokayev in Astana

ASTANA, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia attaches importance to the maximal efficient use of the existing cooperation potential with Kazakhstan, President Vahagn Khachaturyan said at a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.

He said Armenia wants to develop cooperation with Kazakhstan in all directions of mutual interest.

“In this year that marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Armenia and Kazakhstan, we can state that the strategically oriented cooperation between our states has been developing and strengthening in line with the longstanding traditions of mutual support and friendship between our peoples, in the most various sectors of bilateral interest,” President Khachaturyan said.

He added that the governments of both countries are now actively and dynamically working in the direction of implementing the joint statement signed during President Tokayev’s visit to Armenia in April.

President Khachaturyan noted the growing bilateral trade but said that there is higher potential. He said they need to work in various sectors, including in agriculture, high technologies, tourism and connections to implement new initiatives.

“In this context the government of Armenia has developed and presented the Crossroads of Peace project, and its implementation can completely change the geopolitical situation in South Caucasus and adjacent regions, linking regional countries with railways and other roads, cables, gas pipelines and power transmission lines,” the Armenian President said, underscoring that the project also aims at promoting peace, stability and security in the broader region, by respecting sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries, in accordance with the principles of equality and reciprocity.

Khachaturyan lauded the Armenian Culture Days events in Kazakhstan and said that it will bring the two peoples closer.