Italy is one of Kazakhstan’s three leading trading partners
and among its largest investors. Bilateral cooperation continues to strengthen.
Last year, trade turnover between the two countries grew by a quarter, reaching
$20 billion. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed the development of
strategic cooperation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is in
Kazakhstan on an official visit.
«We are very much honored to have you here to pay a visit.
And thank you very much for having accepted my invitation. Italy is a major
trade partner of Kazakhstan and Europe, is a major one. And just yesterday and
today we had a business forum. There are so many Italian businessmen who came
to Kazakhstan and we are very much grateful,» Tokayev said.
«I am very happy of being here for my first time. We value
Kazakhstan as a very very important partner for Italy, also for Europe, and the
region. We know it is very strategic,
moreover in this time. So, thank you also for organizing here the first
Italy-Central Asia summit at the level of leaders,» Meloni said.
Tokayev and Meloni participated in a special session of the
Astana International Forum. In her address, the Italian Prime Minister
highlighted the importance of, and new opportunities for, cooperation with the
Central Asian region. Later, an official welcome ceremony for the Prime
Minister of Italy was held at the Akorda presidential palace. Tokayev and
Meloni introduced members of their official delegations to each other. The two
leaders then held one-on-one talks, during which Meloni emphasized that the visit
aims to further strengthen Kazakh-Italian relations. The sides discussed
expanding economic cooperation and strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties
in an expanded format with the participation of delegations from both
countries. Over the past 20 years, Italy has invested more than $7.5 billion in
Kazakhstan’s economy. Currently, around 270 Italian companies operate in the
country. Tokayev also highlighted the close political dialogue that has
developed between the two nations.
«We appreciate the intention and commitment of the Italian
government led by you to have a closer relationship with Kazakhstan, not only
in trade, investment area, but also with regard to links and cooperation
between both parliaments. We also very much appreciate our exchanges in the
humanitarian area. Your visit is very much important in terms of giving us a
very powerful impetus for further development of our cooperation. I have no
doubts that Kazakhstan and Italy will be continuously serving on the international
arena and positioning ourselves as good partners and strategic partners,» Tokayev
added.
«I want to tell you that I think you are one of the most
pragmatic leaders I've met and that it's very useful to talk with somebody that
really understands how complex things are in these difficult times. But in
these difficult times there are some good news and one of those good news is
the extraordinary relation between Italy and Kazakhstan. Our relation is
excellent, we've been saying that many times, but there is also room to do
always better and this is the willing of this visit. First of all, recognizing
the importance of this country, of this region, which is a crossroads of
history, of continents, of west and east,» Meloni added.
Following the talks, the President of Kazakhstan and the
Prime Minister of Italy adopted a Joint Statement on expanding the strategic
partnership. Eight documents were also signed during the visit.
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