President Armen Sarkissian's working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan

In Nur-Sultan on a working visit, Armen Sarkissian, the President of the Republic of Armenia, met with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhit Sultanov, and other officials attended the meeting.

Welcoming the President of Armenia, President Tokayev particularly said that though his visit was a working one, it was of great importance, as it would be an additional impetus for cooperation between the two countries. "Armenia is a friendly country for us. Relations and cooperation between our countries are based on traditions," said the President of Kazakhstan, "Naturally, we are interested in this cooperation not to remain in its place, that is why the governments of our countries and relevant departments are working to achieve this goal.

We work and interact within such an essential integrational structure as the Eurasian Economic Union. We are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and we closely interact within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), in the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and other structures. I think all this should have a positive continuation."

Expressing gratitude for the hospitality, President Sarkissian particularly said. "For me, visiting Kazakhstan is, in a sense, a visit to friends. As you mentioned, our peoples and in recent years our states have amicable, deep, and long-standing relations.

I agree that the potential for cooperation between our countries is immense. Although our countries are physically far from each other, in the 21st century, thanks to trade, new technologies, artificial intelligence, and IT technologies, they are becoming closer and closer. Naturally, there are ample opportunities to enhance cooperation between our countries ranging from education, new technologies, and food processing ... I would like it to be much deeper and more comprehensive."

The Presidents of Armenia and Kazakhstan spoke about cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union and the CSTO. The President of Armenia referred to the post-war problems and challenges that emerged in Armenia and the region.

The Presidents of Armenia and Kazakhstan continued the discussions in a tête-à-tête format, its core being bilateral relations and issues of the situation in the region.

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Within his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of Kazakhstan, in the Nazarbayev Centre in the capital Nur-Sultan.

Welcoming the President of Armenia, Nursultan Nazarbayev particularly noted that Kazakhstan has historically had warm relations with Armenia. "You are absolutely right," said President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian in response, "Our relations are very close and friendly. These are not just words, especially since there is an Armenian community in Kazakhstan that has been living very well for many years." The interlocutors emphasized the role of the Armenian community of Kazakhstan in maintaining and developing the historically friendly relations between the two countries.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that especially in the post-Soviet years, after the independence of the two countries, he worked closely with all the leaders of Armenia. "There are no unresolved issues between our countries," he said.

President Sarkissian and Nursultan Nazarbayev exchanged views on the directions, and opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation on multilateral platforms, in particular within the Eurasian Economic Union and the CSTO, as well as urgent issues in our region. President Sarkissian particularly touched upon the post-war challenges and humanitarian problems that appeared in Armenia and the region.

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Within his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with the Chairman of Mazhilis (Lower House of the Parliament) of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin.

Noting that the current year is significant for Armenia and Kazakhstan, as it marks the thirtieth anniversary of independent statehood of the two republics, the Chairman of the Mazhilis emphasized the importance of expanding fruitful cooperation for the benefit of both countries and peoples.

According to the Chairman of the Mazhilis, the implementation of the agreements reached during yesterday’s meetings of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as the first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, would contribute to the strengthening of the Armenian-Kazakh multilateral cooperation and political dialogue. He assured that the Kazakh parliamentarians would play their role in that cause.

Speaking about the inter-parliamentary relations, the Chairman of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan singled out the close cooperation of the Armenian and Kazakh parliamentarians in the EEU, CIS, CSTO, and other structures.

Emphasizing that Kazakhstan, as one of the founders of the Eurasianism movement, is a very close partner for Armenia in the CSTO, the EEU, and is actively involved in all issues, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian once again noted that although on the map Armenia and Kazakhstan are physically far away, the two countries have a lot in common and great potential for joint projects.

The President of Armenia and the Mazhilis Speaker of Kazakhstan discussed the agenda of bilateral and multilateral relations. Noting that early parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia this month, President Sarkissian expressed confidence that the new Parliament and Government will contribute to the development of Armenian-Kazakh relations.

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Within the framework of his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian visited the Nursultan Nazarbayev Educational Foundation, and met with Dariga Nazarbayeva, the Director of the Foundation.

The goal of the Foundation is to introduce innovative approaches in the educational system. The Educational Foundation is a co-founder of two universities, the University of International Business and the International Information Technology University. Innovative pre-schools and schools have been established and operate under the leadership of the Foundation.

The Director of the Foundation Dariga Nazarbayeva informed President Sarkissian about the directions of the Foundation's activities, its work and ongoing programs aimed at international cooperation. They discussed issues of cooperation in the educational and technological spheres. An agreement has been reached for the Foundation to implement their children's educational programs in Armenia.

President Sarkissian visited the Foundation’s Museum dedicated to Nursultan Nazarbayev, viewed the exhibitions on the activities of the first President of the country, and the one dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and made a note in the museum's book of honorary guests.

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On his working visit in the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with Beybut Atamkulov, the Minister of Industry and Infrastructures of Kazakhstan.

They discussed a wide range of issues related to commercial, economic, and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

They emphasized the necessity of elaborating explicit programs to strengthen the bilateral economic relations and fully implement the existing potential. In particular, they referred to expanding cooperation in information and high technologies, food security, agriculture, energy, and some other fields, as well as to activating business ties.

Both sides emphasized the importance of using the opportunities within the Eurasian Economic Union in a more efficient and full-fledged way.