PMs of Kazakhstan and Spain held talks

Kazakhstan Prime-Minister Karim Massimov held talks with Prime-Minister of Spain Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Tengrinews.kz reports. Opening the meeting, Massimov said that the visit of the Spanish PM will be a boost to the relationships between the two countries and their people. Kazakhstan PM Massimov noted that attraction of Spanish companies to Kazakhstan would be a good motivation for growth of the Spanish economy and development of Kazakhstan and will help create new jobs. The delegation headed by Prime-Minister of Spain included a big group of businessmen representing energy engineering, construction, environment, transport and a range of industries. Kazakhstan side was represented by the Board Chairman of KazMunaiGas (national oil company) Kairgeldy Kabyldin, Director General of Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas Uzkbay Karabalin, head of Soyuz Atameken National Economic Chamber Azat Peruashev. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Spain made $294.5 million in January-March 2011. Its major part is represented by the export of crude oil that is presponsible for over 80 percent of the overall trade. In confirmation of the initiatives of both countries, several inter-country agreements were signed between representatives of Kazakhstan and Spain: 1. Convention of mutual legal support in criminal cases (signed by Kazakhstan Prosecutor General Askhat Daulbayev and Ambassador of Spain to Kazakhstan Alberto Antón). 2. Memorandum on cooperation in countering crime (signed by Kazakhstan Minister of Internal Affairs Kalmukhanbet Kassymov and Ambassador of Spain to Kazakhstan Alberto Antón). 3. Memorandum of understanding between the Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Spain (signed by Director of the Institute of Diplomacy Suleimenov and Ambassador of Spain to Kazakhstan Alberto Antón). 4. Memorandum of understanding between KazMunaiGas and REPSOL (signed by KMG chairman Kabyldin and Director General of UPSTream Nemesio Fernández Cuesta). 5. Agreement between Kazakhstan Engineering national company and Indra Systems S.A. on cooperation in defense and security (signed by chairman of Kazakhstan Engineering Smagulov and Executive Vice-President of Indra Systems, S.A. Carlos Suárez Pérez). 6. Memorandum of understanding between Soyuz Atameken National Economic Chamber and Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organisations. 7. Agreement between Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and the Supreme Council of Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Spain on creation of Kazakhstan-Spanish Business Council. 8. Memorandum of understanding between Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas and Técnicas Reunidas company.