After the meeting in a narrow format, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sooronbay Jeenbekov held the Fifth meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Addressing the participants of the event, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled on the previous meeting in this format, which was held in the capital of Kazakhstan in 2014.
“Despite a certain pause in its work, the Council remains the highest body of cooperation, contributing to the adoption of important political decisions on the entire range of bilateral relations,” the Head of State said.
According to him, Kyrgyzstan is a good neighbor, ally and fraternal state for Kazakhstan.
“For thousands of years, we have been united by strong and reliable bonds of friendship. For centuries our ancestors lived in peace and harmony, supporting each other in difficult times. On this creative basis, we successfully build our relations at the present stage,” the President of Kazakhstan noted.
As an important achievement in his speech, President noted a solid contractual and legal framework, numbering about 180 treaties and agreements.
“Kazakhstan does not have such a comprehensive institutionalization of bilateral relations with any state,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored.
The Head of State pointed out that the advantages of economic relations between the two countries are the presence of a common border, transit and transport infrastructure, as well as partnership in the Eurasian Economic Union. Thanks to this, Kazakhstan has become one of the leading trade partners of Kyrgyzstan, firmly occupying the third position in the foreign trade turnover of its southern neighbor.
“Our trade turnover has shown steady growth for the third year in a row. From 2015 to 2018, the volume of mutual trade increased by 30%, amounting to US$ 900 million. Kazakhstan is one of the major investors in the Kyrgyz economy, having invested more than US$ 1 billion.” the President of Kazakhstan said.
In turn, Sooronbay Jeenbekov expressed confidence that the Kazakh-Kyrgyz strategic partnership and allied relations will continue to strengthen for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
During the meeting, the two leaders also noted the contribution of the First President - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev to the formation and development of relations between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Furthermore, the Kyrgyz side announced a decision to establish a monument dedicated to Abay Kunanbayuly in Bishkek in 2020.
