October 17, 2018
Briefing for representatives of the media on the results of the official visit to the Republic of Finland
Helsinki, Republic of Finland
Speaking to reporters, the Head of State thanked the President of Finland for the warm welcome and noted that over 26 years of bilateral cooperation, relations between the countries have reached a high level of partnership.
– Today we are in a confidential atmosphere in detail and thoroughly discussed the state and prospects of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats. Kazakhstan and Finland share common principles and approaches in tackling the most pressing problems of regional and international politics, said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
In the context of the upcoming presidency of Finland in the EU, the President of Kazakhstan expressed hope for the active assistance of the Finnish side to the process of deepening the dialogue in the framework of the Agreement on Extended Partnership and Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union.
The head of state highlighted the successful nature and potential of Kazakh-Finnish cooperation and stressed that all conditions had been created for its implementation.
– Between our countries, a regular political dialogue at the highest level is taking place, a favorable business climate is being formed, the contractual and institutional framework of interaction is being strengthened, as well as direct air communication. All these opportunities need to be fully utilized, – Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan dwelt separately on the results of the talks held and indicated the interest of the Finnish partners in the development of bilateral economic ties.
“We agreed to increase the efficiency of the Kazakh-Finnish Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, as well as to speed up the launch of the working groups created within its framework in such areas as energy, transport, agriculture and education. We also discussed new opportunities for the presence of Finnish capital and technology in projects to modernize the Kazakh economy, the Head of State said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke about plans to introduce the best Finnish solutions in the field of “green” economy in various regions of Kazakhstan and stressed that the parties identified the processing sectors, innovative and high-tech enterprises, as well as export-oriented production as priority areas of cooperation.
Speaking about the advantages of the geographical location of Kazakhstan, the Head of State pointed to new emerging prospects for the development of the export potential of Suomi and improving the competitiveness of the Finnish economy.
“The launch of two railway routes with the participation of logistics companies of Kazakhstan and Finland opens up the prerequisites for the creation of a transit transport alliance between our countries,” said the President of Kazakhstan.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev told the journalists present about the meeting with representatives of the Finnish business community, as well as the launch of new business projects that will give impetus to mutual cooperation.
In conclusion, the Head of State highly appreciated the results of the past negotiations and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen and expand the partnership for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
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Following the visit, the following documents were signed:
1. Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in the field of energy and green economy between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of the Federal Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of the Environment of the Federal Republic of Belarus.
2. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Federal Republic of Belarus.