Kazakhstan and Greece are aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation
Astana, February 5, 2018.
Actual aspects of bilateral political and trade-economic cooperation were discussed by the Co-Chairs of the Kazakh-Greek Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Technological Cooperation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Georgios Katrugalos who arrived in Astana on a working visit. The Greek delegation also included representatives of business circles.
Negotiations confirmed the existence of mutual understanding between Astana and Athens across the whole spectrum of bilateral cooperation. Prospective directions for further joint work were identified, projects on deepening economic and investment cooperation were considered.
Special attention was paid to the facilitation of the visa regime by the European Union for the citizens of our country. The parties unanimously stated that simplification of visa procedures meets mutual interests in expanding business, educational, cultural and tourist ties between the European Union and Kazakhstan.
A thorough exchange of views took place on the topical issues on the international agenda: the activities of Kazakhstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Astana process on the Syrian settlement, the prospects for cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union and other areas.
Within the visit, with the participation of the Vice Minister for Investment and Development of Kazakhstan, Arystan Kabikenov and G. Katrugalos, the Kazakh-Greek business forum was held, bringing together about 100 entrepreneurs from the two countries. During the event, the Foreign Trade Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Greek Federation of Enterprises “SEV” signed an Agreement on Cooperation.
In addition, G.Katrugalos held meetings with the Vice Minister of Agriculture Gulmira Isayeva and the Manager of the International Financial Center “Astana” Kairat Kelimbetov.
During his stay in Astana, G. Katrugalos visited the administrative center of the Kazakhstani Metropolitan District and inspected the Assumption Cathedral. The high Greek visitor was told about the history of its construction, implemented with the support of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece highly appreciated the achievements of Kazakhstan in strengthening the interethnic peace and inter-confessional accord.
For reference: 1) In 2017, the volume of trade between Kazakhstan and Greece increased by 10.6% compared to 2016 ($ 980.6 million: exports of Kazakhstan to Greece – $ 964 million, imports from Greece to Kazakhstan – 16.6 million dollars). In 2016 – 886 million dollars (exports – 872.8 million dollars, imports – 13.2 million dollars).
Kazakhstan exports to Greece hydrocarbons, grain, salt, soil, stones, gypsum, cement, copper, copper products, etc.
Products from the chemical and metallurgical industries, plastic, fur and knitwear, footwear, machinery and equipment, electronic materials, bicycles, etc. are imported from Greece to Kazakhstan.
2) Last year, there was also an intensification of mutual contacts:
On May 24-27, 2017, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K. Dimitri, visited Astana, within the framework of which a Memorandum of Understanding between the Prosecutor General’s Offices of Kazakhstan and Greece was signed;
July 21, 2017 Minister of Economy and Development of the GR D. Papadimitriou took part in the National Day of Greece in the framework of the exhibition “EXPO-2017”;
August 27-30, 2017 Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports of Greece J. Vassiliadis visited Astana to sign the Declaration on Cooperation in the field of sports of the Declaration on the Modern Olympic Truce;
October 9-10, 2017 in Athens Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan R.Vasilenko took part in the business conference “EU-Eurasia-China”;
On October 19-20, 2017, A.Tasbulatov, Co-chairman of the Kazakhstan-Greece interparliamentary friendship group, and A.Konurov, a member of the friendship group, visited Greece.
3) At the moment, about 10 thousand ethnic Greeks live in Kazakhstan.
At the same time, in Greece there are about 60 thousand former citizens of Kazakhstan, with whom close ties are also maintained.
The Association of Greek Societies of Kazakhstan “Philia”
(in the translation from the Greek language – “Friendship”).
Press-service
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Kazakhstan
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