BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30.
Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to the comprehensive
development of allied relations with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakh Prime
Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at the Second Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan
Interregional Cooperation Forum in Bishkek, according to the Kazakh
government.
"Under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev, we are consistently building a Fair and Progressive
Kazakhstan based on openness and constructive partnership with all
countries. This approach creates favorable conditions for
strengthening the economy, increasing investment attractiveness,
expanding international cooperation and creating the most favorable
conditions for business. We attach particular importance to the
comprehensive development of allied relations with brotherly
Kyrgyzstan," Bektenov said.
The forum, titled "The Role of Regions in Developing
Strategic Partnership", was held as part of Bektenov's official
visit to Kyrgyzstan. It was attended by Chairman of the Cabinet of
Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan
Adylbek Kasymaliev, regional leaders from both countries,
government officials and business representatives.
The participating regions included Kazakhstan's
Almaty, Zhambyl, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Karaganda and Jetisu
regions, as well as the cities of Almaty and Turkistan. Kyrgyzstan
was represented by the Issyk-Kul, Chui, Talas, Osh, Jalal-Abad and
Naryn regions.
The participants discussed ways to strengthen direct
ties between regions and implement joint projects in trade,
investment, industry, transport and logistics, and tourism.
Particular attention was paid to developing sister-city relations,
expanding practical cooperation and establishing new partnerships
between cities and regions.
"Our bilateral cooperation has reached a
fundamentally new level. We attach particular importance to holding
the second interregional forum, which is becoming an important
mechanism for strengthening bilateral cooperation. Kyrgyzstan's
Chui, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions have traditionally maintained
close ties with Kazakhstan's Almaty and Zhambyl regions. At the
same time, our interregional cooperation is not limited to border
regions. Direct ties have been established between our cities and
regions that are not located along the border," Kasymaliev said at
the forum.
The 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan
Intergovernmental Council is also scheduled to take place in
Bishkek during Bektenov's official visit.
