Specific programmes needed to boost Jordan-Kazakhstan ties

In talks in Amman yesterday, the two leaders discussed means to foster bilateral ties, developments in the region, and regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a Royal Court statement.

They also agreed that officials from both countries will develop specific plans and determine what steps need to be taken next to increase bilateral economic cooperation and benefit from agreements the two countries have signed in different fields.

Jordan and Kazakhstan yesterday signed a programme on cooperation in the field of tourism to be implemented between 2009 and 2011. The programme, signed by Tourism Minister Maha Khatib and her Kazakh counterpart, Dosmukhambetov Temirkhan Mynaydarovich, seeks to boost tourism cooperation between the two countries.

King Abdullah and Nazarbayev have exchanged several visits over the past years during which a total of 13 agreements were signed between the two countries.

During the King's visit to Kazakhstan in 2007, several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to expand bilateral economic and commercial relations, including one on animal and plant protection and quarantine, and another on boosting cooperation in the transportation sector.

The two sides also initialled an agreement in the field of air transport, under which Royal Jordanian and Air Astana will be adopted as the official carriers between Amman and Astana.

King Abdullah and Nazarbayev also discussed ways to benefit from the opportunities at hand to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of services, medical care, pharmaceutical and defence industries, ICT and construction.

At the meeting, the Monarch highlighted investment opportunities in the Kingdom.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially efforts to launch peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to end the conflict based on the two-state solution that ensures the creation of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil.

Discussions also covered challenges and issues of concern to the Muslim world, with the two leaders stressing the importance of enhancing and institutionalising cooperation among Muslim countries to face the challenges at hand.

Nazarbayev is accompanied by a business delegation representing different sectors. On Monday, the joint Jordanian-Kazakh Business Council met in Amman to discuss means to foster commercial cooperation and enhance investments.

Jordan's imports from Kazakhstan over the past five years stood at about $127 million, while its exports to the Central Asian nation stood at $3.5 million in spite of transportation obstacles, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In 2008, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to $73 million, jumping from $13 million in 2007.

Also yesterday, the two leaders attended a Kazakh concert at the King Hussein Convention Centre at the Dead Sea. They also toured an exhibition held as part of Kazakh Cultural Days.

Photo: His Majesty King Abdullah meets with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Amman on Tuesday (Photo by Yousef Allan)

Source: The Jordan Times