Kazakhstan, Astana /corr Trend K.Konirova / Bilateral documents were signed in Astana on 27 February within the framework of official visit of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Kazakhstan.
Trend correspondent in Kazakhstan reports that the two sides inked protocols on exchange of ratification notes on a Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Ally Relationships between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, as well as prolongation of an intergovernmental agreement on non-visa visits of citizens of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, dated 10 June 1997).
The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Marat Tajin, stated to briefing after the signing ceremony that 27 August 2007 will saw 15th year of establishment of diplomatic relationships between the two countries. "We are glad for absence of any disagreement between our countries and happy with intensified energy development," he stressed. The Minister thanked Azerbaijan for support to international initiatives by Kazakhstan and voiced his satisfaction with plans on increase of economic cooperation and positive dynamic of the goods turnover. According to the customs bodies of Kazakhstan, in 2007 the gods turnover between the two countries will comprise the ? billion dollars, whereas last year the figure made up $147mln.
Mr. Tajin voiced his hope that along with visits heads of diplomatic missions, the visits of representatives from different business delegations of Azerbaijan would also become frequent.