Astana, Kazakhstan, Jan. 30
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov has paid an official visit to Latvia during his European tour, Kazakh Foreign Ministry said on Jan.30.
The Kazakh diplomat held a number of bilateral meetings, as well as a meeting with President of Latvia Andris Berzins in Riga.
The high-level negotiations held during the last year's visit of Berzins to Astana gave a special impetus to the dynamics of Kazakh-Latvian cooperation.
Currently, the governments of the two countries are carrying out active work on implementation of the agreements reached during these negotiations. We are talking about several tasks, including the optimal use of transit opportunities of Baltic Transit" and Baltic Transit-2 container trains, the opening of direct flights between Kazakhstan and Latvia, cooperation in the spheres of tourism and processing of agricultural products.
"During the meeting the parties touched upon a wide range of issues of mutual interest. The need to strengthen the economic component of bilateral cooperation was especially highlighted. In addition, the parties discussed the cooperation in such promising areas as transit and transport, cultural and humanitarian spheres, small and medium business, cooperation within the EU and the Council of Europe," Kazakh Foreign Ministry said.
During the meeting with the chairman of the Latvian Saeima Solvita Aboltinja, the strengthening of parliamentary relations between the two countries was discussed. The speaker of the Latvian Saeima was conveyed the invitation from the chairman of Majilis of the Kazakh Parliament, Nurlan Nigmatulin to visit Kazakhstan.
Idrisov also met with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics during the visit.
"The heads of the diplomatic agencies of the two countries discussed the relevant issues of the international agenda, the prospects for expanding the bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation in a multilateral format," according to the report.
Idrisov stressed the prospects of the transport and logistics cooperation with Latvia.
"The opportunity of reaching European logistics centers will enable us to profitably transport our cargo and cargo of other CIS countries and China through Latvian ports to the European markets and backwards," he said.
A striking example of such cooperation is the grain terminal in the port of Ventspils, owned by Kazakhstan. This is the Kazakh first facility in the EU, through which the grain is transported from Kazakhstan to the world markets.
During his visit to Latvia, Idrisov also spoke at the annual meeting of Latvian ambassadors to the foreign countries. As part of his speech, Kazakh foreign minister urged Latvian diplomats to consider Kazakhstan as an area serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia. This fully corresponds to Riga's aspirations. Eastern Partnership and strengthening the cooperation with the Central Asian region are important foreign policy priorities.
Latvian diplomats showed interest in Kazakhstan's priorities in the direction of Europe.
Signing of an agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation with the EU, facilitating of the visa regime for Kazakh citizens, as well as the further expansion of trade-economic and innovative-technological cooperation are among them.
Translated by L.Z., N.H.
Edited by C.N.