President Tokayev highlights potential of Islamic Organization for Food Security
The Presidents of Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Umaro Sissoco Embaló, held a press conference, Kazinform News Agency has learnt from Akorda.
Following the talks, the Kazakhstani and Guinea-Bissauan presidents issued a joint statement for the media.
As President Tokayev noted, the official visit of Umaro Sissoco Embaló to Kazakhstan is a clear demonstration of the common goals and aspirations the countries have in common in spite of the geographic distance.
As a result of the bilateral talks, the important agreements were reached. This visit will contribute to further enhancement of cooperation in political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres. So, our countries are interested in unlocking the full potential in the sphere of transport and logistics. It was agreed to explore ways for pairing of the Port of Bissau and the Trans-Caspian Transport Route in West Africa. This is of particular importance now when the world’s geopolitical situation and food security issues are becoming more serious, said the Head of State.
According to Tokayev, the sides also focused on agricultural cooperation, stressing Kazakhstan’s huge potential to export grain crops to Guinea-Bissau.
It’s necessary to fully tap into the potential of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, established at the initiative of our country. Cooperation in mining and natural resource development was also discussed. In particular, there are opportunities to hold joint work in the field of exploration and development of deposits of iron, phosphate, bauxite and other rare earth minerals, added the Kazakh President.
Earlier it was reported that the members of the Kazakhstani and Guinea-Bissauan official delegations exchanged three documents as a follow-up to the negotiations held earlier.
It’s worth noting that President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló arrived in Kazakhstan on December 18 for an official visit upon the invitation of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Both presidents held talks at the Akorda presidential palace in Astana.
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Tokayev highlights CA’s future as a transit hub, urges EU to promote cooperation in AI
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In his remarks at the first Central Asia - European Union Summit "Investing in the Future" in Samarkand, the Head of State emphasized that last year alone, the volume of container transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) increased by 62%, amounting to 4.5 million tons. Plans are in place to ramp up the cargo flow to 10 million tons by 2027.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also expressed support to the EU's Global Gateway Strategy, which promotes the expansion of sustainable transport links in the region.
President Tokayev pointed out that the country actively promotes decarbonization initiatives. In his words, Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role in producing clean energy, providing about 40% of the world's nuclear fuel supply. Last year, the country established a Regional Project Office on climate change and green energy.
In his speech, the Head of State paid utmost attention to digital technologies and the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Kazakhstan is actively investing in those areas. At the beginning of the year, our country created an International Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence under the President. Kazakhstan is implementing a program to train 100,000 IT specialists. A high-tech center, Alem.AI, is being established in Astana to promote innovation, create startups, and conduct research in this field. We have also launched a Venture Fund for accelerated AI development. Through the Team Europe initiative, the European Union supports the Central Asian countries in developing cooperation in digital technologies. Kazakhstan is stands ready to cooperate and exchange experience in that field. In this regard, I propose launching the "Central Asia-European Union" Innovation Campus at Astana Hub," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
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Kazakhstan ready to boost exports to EU by over USD 2 bln, President Tokayev
Images | Akorda
Addressing the first summit between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia in Samarkand, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev for hospitality and high level of organization of the summit, Kazinform News Agency reports referring to the Akorda press service.
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Kazakh, Uzbek leaders hold meeting in Samarkand
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursdays, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
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Kazakh President Tokayev, EC President Ursula von der Leyen hold talks in Samarkand
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Kazinform News Agency has learnt from the press service of Akorda.
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Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that the European Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement remains the basis for multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar attend Kazakhstan-Slovenia Business Forum in Astana
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The Kazakh and Slovenian Presidents, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar, attended on Tuesday the Kazakhstan-Slovenia Business Forum in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Addressing the event, the Kazakh leader stated that Kazakhstan and Slovenia have been building strong and equitable political and diplomatic ties for the past 30 years. The sides confirmed mutual commitment to deepening economic cooperation for the benefit of both nations following the talks held the day before.
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President Tokayev highlighted that Kazakhstan seeks to become a leading trade and logistics hub of Eurasian thanks to its strategic location.
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The Head of State called industrial and energy cooperation as a promising area of cooperation with Slovenia. As the Kazakh President said, almost 70% of Kazakhstani oil is exported to the EU. The country holds 3 trillion cubic meters of proven reserves of natural gas as well as 34 billion tons of proven coal reserves, entering top 10 nations with the largest coal reserves in the world.
Kazakhstan produces 19 out of 34 rare earth elements, which are crucial to the EU economy, and actively works with the world’s top companies to unlock its potential using the pragmatic formula of ‘investment and technology in exchange for raw materials’. The number of major international companies willing to invest in Kazakhstan’s green economy is on the rise, including France’s Total, Italy’s Eni, the UAE’s Masdar and German-Swedish company Svevind Energy Group. Slovenia’s leading companies such as Iskra and Gorenje already entered the Kazakhstani market, stated Tokayev.
The Head of State noted that Kazakhstan attaches priority attention to the agriculture sector, considering it as a key tool in addressing challenges facing global food security. Presently, the country supplies its agricultural products to up to 70 countries of the world.
President Tokayev revealed plans to turn the domestic agro-industrial complex into a high-tech sector, calling on Slovenian partners to implement joint investment projects. According to the Kazakh leader, cooperation with Slovenia’s Krka and Lek companies is likely to boost Kazakhstan’s production and technological potential in pharmacy.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also urged Slovenia’s dynamic and innovative IT sector to work together in scientific research, startups and technology education.
Speaking about cooperation in financial services and investment areas, the Head of State called on business circles of Slovenia to look at the potential of the Astana International Financial Center and join its ecosystem.
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President of Slovenia Natasa Pirtz-Musar and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov discuss issues of trade and economic cooperation
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In the course of the meeting the issues of implementation of the agreements reached between the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of Slovenia Natasa Pirtz-Musar on strengthening trade, economic and investment interaction were discussed, primeminister.kz reports.
Attention was paid to the work of the Business Council, which should become an additional mechanism for deepening partnership and exchange of experience in mining, oil and gas and other spheres. All measures are taken in Kazakhstan to create the most comfortable business climate.
Cooperation in the transport and logistics sector was discussed, including within the framework of the Trans-Caspian international transport route development. The prospects of joint logistics and infrastructure projects along the Middle Corridor were considered.
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Following the meeting, it was noted that the issues of implementation of specific agreements and joint statements of the Presidents of the two countries will be under special control of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation.
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Presidents of Kazakhstan and Slovenia held talks in an expanded format
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nataša Pirc Musar conducted negotiations in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations from both countriesy, Akorda reports.
Welcoming the Slovenian delegation, President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Slovenia - a time-tested and reliable partner in Europe.
Your visit is extremely important, as it gives additional impetus to enhancing our mutual cooperation. Just now, we had a very comprehensive discussion on many issues regarding the international situation. We expressed our joint commitment to achieving positive results in terms of mutual cooperation. For us, Slovenia is a time-tested and reliable partner in Europe. We will do our utmost to achieve practical results", - said the President Tokayev.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined promising areas of bilateral cooperation, expressing his commitment to creating favorable conditions for Slovenian businesses in Kazakhstan, including transparent regulation, investment protection, and economic diversification. He emphasized the great importance he attaches to the Kazakh-Slovenian Business Forum in Astana, which aims to further expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.
President of Slovenia expressed gratitude to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the warm reception in Astana.
This visit is intended to contribute to deepening economic cooperation. This goal is shared by both our countries. We have significant potential for growth, and I am confident that we can achieve more. The volume of trade between our countries is increasing every year. As you have already mentioned, we have reached an investment volume of 200 million dollars, but the opportunities are much broader. That is why I am very pleased to be in Astana accompanied by a representative business delegation", - said Nataša Pirc Musar.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to cooperation in promising areas such as trade, investment, transport and logistics, critical minerals, digitalization and artificial intelligence, healthcare, and tourism.
Following the talks, the presidents adopted a Joint Statement.
Members of the official delegations exchanged the following documents:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia in the field of education and science;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Slovenia on cooperation in the field of tourism;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
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