Jordan Times
Thursday, November 30, 2006
King, Kazakh president
review peace efforts
2 countries sign cooperation agreements
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah held
talks with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on Wednesday, focusing
on the means to promote bilateral relations in all spheres, particularly in the
fields of economic and commercial relations.
Discussions also centred on regional and international issues, mainly the
efforts exerted to achieve peace in the region.
King Abdullah and President Nazarbayev reviewed the latest developments in the
region and the efforts exerted to solve the Palestinian question in accordance
with international resolutions, and on the basis of the two-state solution,
proposed in the Arab Peace Initiative.
In addition, the two sides reiterated their support for the Iraqi government’s
efforts to achieve national reconciliation and ensure stability in the country,
stressing the need to involve all Iraqis in the political process.
The two leaders stressed their keenness to enhance cooperation between the
Kingdom and Kazakhstan, describing their talks as positive, representing a
strong push to enhance bilateral relations.
They also agreed to expedite economic and investment cooperation and increase
the volume of commercial exchange by inviting businessmen from Kazakhstan to
visit the Kingdom and get acquainted with investment opportunities available in
the country.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, Director of the King’s Office Bassem Awadallah,
and several ministers from both countries attended the meeting.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff General Khaled Sarayreh and General
Intelligence Department Director Major General Mohammad Dahabi were also
present.
In the presence of King Abdullah and the Kazakhstani president, the two sides
signed several agreements in the education, sports and youth sectors, in
addition to an economic and commercial cooperation agreement and another to
support and protect joint investments.
Representatives of the two countries also expressed their interest in exchanging
expertise and cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, construction,
information technology and mining industries and in supporting small- and
medium-size enterprises.
During a joint press conference held by Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib and
his Kazakhstani counterpart Kassymzhomart Tokaev, Khatib said the two sides
agreed to open embassies in their respective countries in order to enhance
cooperation and coordination.
Also on Wednesday, President Nazarbayev visited tombs of Their Majesties the
late King Hussein, King Abdullah I and King Talal where he recited verses from
the Holy Koran.
In addition, he visited the Greater Amman Municipality where he was briefed on a
comprehensive plan to develop the capital with the help of citizens and the
private sector. During the visit, Amman Mayor Omar Maani presented President
Nazarbayev with the golden key of the city, as a token of the friendship between
the two countries. A twinning agreement between Amman and Kazakhstan’s capital,
Astana, was signed last year to improve economic and cultural cooperation and
reinforce expertise exchange in the fields of city planning, environment
conservation, education, health and infrastructure
Nazarbayev arrived Tuesday on a three-day official visit to the country heading
a high-ranking delegation of ministers, advisers and economic officials.