The official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to the Republic of Kazakhstan has begun. First, the official welcoming ceremony of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia was held at the Akorda Residence, during which Nikol Pashinyan and the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the delegations of the countries, and the national anthems of Armenia and Kazakhstan were performed.
Then, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the President of Kazakhstan had a private meeting. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted in his welcoming speech: “Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, welcome to Kazakhstan. Your visit is very important for the two countries, for our dynamically developing strategic partnership. Therefore, our relations are receiving a new impetus, and we are confident that it will also be a new impetus for the development of our future relations. This is your first official visit to Kazakhstan, therefore, we attach great importance to it. I hope it will proceed well and I am sure that the importance of this visit for the Kazakh people, for our history, for our traditions, for our culture will be significant. During your visit, a number of important agreements and documents will be signed. Once again, I would like to welcome you to Kazakhstan."
In turn, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted: “Mr. President, first of all, let me thank you for inviting me to Kazakhstan on an official visit and for the warm welcome. I truly agree that this visit will give a new impetus to the development of our bilateral relations, and I want to emphasize your personal contribution to this matter and express my gratitude for it. I believe that this new stage in our relations was opened by the results of your official visit to the Republic of Armenia last year, where we reached a number of important agreements.
Part of these agreements has already been implemented, the other part is in the process of implementation. And this is, indeed, a very practical and strategic partnership. I am convinced that within the framework of this visit we will ensure the further development of all this. It is a great honor for me to be in Kazakhstan on an official visit and to be hosted by you. I also want to emphasize with great pleasure that this is a very important expression of mutual trust between our countries, our governments and the leaders of our two countries, which by no means should be underestimated for the development and deepening of relations between our countries. I want to thank you again for all of that."
Then, an expanded-format meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took place. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Armenia is a key partner for Kazakhstan in trade and economic relations, the Kazakh people greatly respect the Armenian people, their history, culture and traditions. According to him, today Armenia has become a very beloved tourist destination for the Kazakh people. According to the President of Kazakhstan, the two countries have open relations based on mutual trust, and there is close mutual cooperation both on regional and international platforms. “Our cooperation in trade and economic, cultural and educational spheres is continuously developing. I would like to emphasize that our interstate relations are special, we have great opportunities to develop our cooperation in all directions. Today, we will sign historical documents to elevate our relations between the two countries and turn them into strategic relations,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that the key result of this visit is the development of bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership. According to the Prime Minister, on this basis, the parties will give a new impetus to the further development of relations in all directions: a high level of political dialogue, a deepening level of economic cooperation, and, of course, cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is also taking on new manifestations. “Today, one of the streets in Astana was named after the author of Armenian letters, Saint Mesrop Mashtots. We also perceive this as a manifestation of respect for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia,” said Nikol Pashinyan. According to the Prime Minister, the changes taking place in the region open up new opportunities for further deepening economic relations, new transport opportunities are opening up, which should be seriously studied. The Prime Minister added that new agenda is being put in front of the members of the intergovernmental commission of the two countries, work on which has already begun.
Next, Nikol Pashinyan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of trade, economic, business ties, cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, transport, agriculture, air transport, education, and culture. The interlocutors attached importance to the unblocking of regional communication routes, which will give a new impetus to the development and expansion of regional relations. In this regard, the leaders of the countries attached importance to the fact of importing wheat from Kazakhstan to Armenia by rail and expressed hope that this process will be continuous. In this regard, Nikol Pashinyan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev considered it important to bring to life the TRIPP and “Crossroads of Peace” projects.
At the same time, the President of Kazakhstan emphasized the personal efforts of Prime Minister Pashinyan in establishing peace and stability in the region, adding that his country consistently supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the launch of direct flights between Yerevan and Astana, digitalization, student exchange programs, and further development of cooperation in other areas.
Prime Minister Pashinyan invited the President of Kazakhstan to pay a state visit to Armenia, which was gladly accepted.
