Ilham Aliyev received Prime Minister of Kazakhstan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov.

Noting the strategic nature of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the head of state welcomed the successful development of bilateral ties across every domain. The President of Azerbaijan underlined that the agenda of bilateral relations is extensive.

Saying that the successful implementation of the agreements reached during President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Azerbaijan last year and his trip to Kazakhstan this year was constantly focused on, President Ilham Aliyev described it as a sign of the high level of bilateral cooperation. The head of state pointed out that relations between the two countries are significant for regional cooperation, including cooperation in the Caspian basin and beyond. The President of Azerbaijan said there is great potential for the further expansion of this engagement, stressing that all this serves to increase the volume of trade turnover, create additional business opportunities, and implement large-scale projects in energy, transportation and other areas.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that Alikhan Smailov’s visit would contribute to the further development of friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries.

Expressing gratitude for the warm words, the Prime Minister conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings and asked Alikhan Smailov to pass on his best wishes to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Alikhan Smailov congratulated the head of state and the friendly people of Azerbaijan on the upcoming Eid al-Adha.

Prime Minister underlined that this year marks the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, saying the Great Leader had always cherished sincere, friendly relations with Kazakhstan. Alikhan Smailov noted that the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Street this year in Astana with the participation of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan manifests the unity of both countries and peoples.

The head of state expressed gratitude for the respect to the memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, adding that the people of Azerbaijan highly appreciate this.

Alikhan Smailov pointed out that Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations are strategic by nature and expressed satisfaction with the successful development of cooperation in all spheres. The Prime Minister noted that interaction between the countries is an indicator of bilateral relations based on strategic partnership. Alikhan Smailov expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani President for his contribution to cementing bilateral cooperation in various fields. He noted that Azerbaijan is Kazakhstan's most important economic and trade partner in the South Caucasus, saying the trade turnover climbed by 40% to exceed USD 460 million last year. The Prime Minister said the trend was kept this year too, and underlined that there are opportunities for further increasing this potential.

The parties lauded the construction of the Children’s Center for the Development of Creativity in the city of Fuzuli, noted the activity of the intergovernmental commission, and shared their opinions on the cooperation between the two countries in oil, transportation, ICT, ship-building, humanitarian and other spheres.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the recent rise of cargo transportation from the Caspian Sea through the Middle Corridor by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as third parties. They underlined the importance of stepping up the two countries’ joint efforts in this direction.

The meeting also saw discussions on the prospects for the participation of Kazakhstan’s companies in various projects in the liberated lands of Azerbaijan.