Kazakhstan is
ready to create the necessary conditions and ensure a favorable investment
climate for joint projects with Japan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated
this at the first Central Asia–Japan Dialogue summit in Tokyo. The Head of
State thanked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the initiative to convene the
meeting. In his view, such summits demonstrate the growing role of Central Asia
in international processes.
«Hosting such an
important forum in Tokyo, a global metropolis renowned for its high level of
development, is an event of great significance for Kazakhstan and, I believe,
for the whole of Central Asia. It is symbolic that Japan, represented by former
Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, initiated the establishment
of the Central Asia–Japan Dialogue. The first meeting at the level of foreign
ministers was held in Astana in 2004. This event served as an example for launching
similar Central Asia platforms with other major countries,» Tokayev said.
President Tokayev emphasized
that cooperation between Central Asia and Japan is a historically established
process. In the past, the countries were connected by the Great Silk Road, and
today there are numerous opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. In
particular, Central Asia’s transit and logistics potential opens up significant
opportunities for Japan. More than 80 percent of overland cargo transportation
between Asia and Europe passes through Kazakhstan. The Head of State welcomed the
Japanese government’s decision to participate in improving customs procedures
at the Aktau port on the Caspian Sea and invited Japanese companies to take
part in developing railway, port, road, and logistics infrastructure along the
Middle Corridor.
«Kazakhstan views Japan as a reliable and competent partner across all areas of cooperation – including trade, investment, transport, logistics, science, technology, education, and high-quality human resources. I am confident that this summit will lead to concrete results in Kazakhstan–Japan cooperation and will therefore fully justify its purpose. Kazakhstan is ready to take up the baton in hosting future summits in the Central Asia–Japan format,» Tokayev noted.
At the same time, Kazakhstan is interested
in attracting Japanese innovations and investment for
projects in the extraction and processing of
hydrocarbons. Another area for mutually beneficial cooperation is nuclear
energy. Of particular interest are projects in nuclear waste management,
nuclear safety, and the training of highly qualified specialists. The Head of
State also proposed establishing a joint research platform in the field of
sustainable agriculture and developing a joint program for water resource
management. As a result of the summit, the Tokyo Declaration was adopted. It
was also decided that Kazakhstan will host the next meeting in this format.
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