Фото: пресс-служба президента Казахстана
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to the press service of the Kazakh president, Tokayev stressed that he attaches primary importance to cooperation with Belarus.
“We attach primary importance to cooperation with you in all areas and treat Belarusian statehood, your distinctive culture and history with due respect. I believe that there are every reason today to express satisfaction with the steady dynamic of interaction, primarily in the economic sphere. Taking this opportunity, I would like to convey greetings and best wishes to the leader of the Belarusian state, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. In May, we are holding a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. I think that, in addition to the multilateral agenda, we will certainly discuss other issues related to the development of relations between our states,” Tokayev said.
He also stressed the need to continue maintaining an active and trusting dialogue, as well as coordinating the practical implementation of agreements reached at the highest level.
For his part, Ryzhankou also conveyed Lukashenka’s greetings to Tokayev.
“First of all, I would also like to convey to you the warmest wishes on behalf of the head of our state, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and wish you success and impressive results in the further development of your state, in building a modern Kazakhstan and improving the well-being of citizens. I would also like to say that today the interests of the ordinary person, the people and the country lie at the heart of Kazakhstan’s policy. This is the foundation of social policy that brings our countries closer together and cements relations in all areas. The personal relations between the leaders of the two states are a very good example for all of us. I would like to note that we feel your support at all levels of our relations,” Ryzhankou replied.
The sides also focused on increasing exports of Kazakh products. Last year, trade turnover between Belarus and Kazakhstan amounted to $1.2 billion. At the same time, Belarusian exports significantly exceeded Kazakh exports.
Tokayev also welcomed the opening of Belarus’s consulate general in Almaty, which is one of the items on Ryzhankou’s visit agenda.