Turkish Prime-Minister arrives to Kazakhstan

Prime-Minister of Turkey have arrived to Kazakhstan with an official visit, Tengrinews.kz reports citing official representative of Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry Altai Abibullayev. “Turkish Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's official visit to Kazakhstan will take place on May 22-24. He will take part in the opening of the 5th Astana Economic Forum. His visit will include the meeting with Kazakhstan President. The parties are to discuss key issues of bilateral cooperation and current international problems. The visit will result in signing of several bilateral agreements,” Abibullayev said. He pointed out that the visit is timed to celebration of the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Kazakhstan supports Turkey as a candidate for SCO dialog partner. As it was earlier noted by Kazakhstan Foreign Minister in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Council, the final decision will be made during the summit of the presidents of SCO states in Beijing in the beginning of June,” the official representative said. Turkish Prime-Minister will also take part in the forthcoming business forum of representatives of the business communities of Kazakhstan and Turkey. According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, there are currently over 160 companies with participation of Turkish capital registered in Kazakhstan. “Investment, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries are our priorities,” Abibullayev noted. The commodities turnover between Kazakhstan and Turkey made over $3 billion in 2011. The parties wish to increase it to $10 billion by 2015. By Assel Satayeva