Kazakhstan, Astana, Nov.19 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay his first state visit to Kazakhstan on Tuesday, official representative of the Central Communications Service of Kazakhstan, Altai Abibullayev said at a press briefing in Astana on Monday.
"Within the visit the most important issue of discussions will be strengthening of cooperation between the two countries. It is also planned to sign an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the tourism sphere following the talks," Abibullayev said.
President Rajapaksa's visit is timed to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
It is also expected to sign a memorandum between the two countries' chambers of commerce during the Sri Lankan delegation's visit to Kazakhstan.
In 2011, trade between the two countries amounted to $7.1 million. Trade turnover reached $5.7 million in January-August 2012.