The presidents of Kazakhstan and Albania made a joint statement
Kazakhstan and Albania intend to launch direct flights between the capitals. There are also plans to introduce a visa-free regime for Albanian citizens. This was discussed today at the talks with the participation of the leaders of 2 countries. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Bayram Begay made a joint statement, says the correspondent of "Khabar 24" Dinara Abdirova.
This welcome moment can be called historic. The President of Albania has arrived on an official visit to our republic for the first time. The Head of State personally met the guest of honor in the main hall of Akorda.
After the welcoming part, the presidents began negotiations in a narrow format. We discussed the prospects for the development of 2-party relations. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Bayram Begai for accepting the invitation. And he noted that Astana and Tirana have a great potential for expanding partnership in various spheres, including the economy.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- This visit is extremely important from the point of view of the development of mutual cooperation. Kazakhstan is very interested in establishing closer relations with your country. We believe that we have opportunities to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and ties in many areas of mutual interest. It is very symbolic that your visit takes place just 2 weeks before our countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Then the negotiations continued in an expanded format. Official delegations of 2 countries gathered at one table. During the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that it is necessary to launch direct flights between Astana and Tirana.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- We consider Albania as a very important partner on the Balkan peninsula, and this is a crucial moment to get practical results in terms of our mutual cooperation. Kazakhstan and Albania have a lot in common. We are multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries, at the same time the majority of the population are Muslims. It is necessary to develop our cooperation and contacts in major international organizations, such as the UN and the OSCE.
Tourism is one of the promising areas. Kazakhstan intends to introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of Albania today. According to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Ermek Marzhikpayev, Albanians now need a visa to enter Kazakhstan, while our compatriots do not need it.
Ermek Marzhikpayev, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- A very interesting country, good tourist potential. I think it will be right. This direction is very interesting for our country. In recent years, 211 Albanians have come to Kazakhstan, and our only, unfortunately, 3 tourists were in Albania. I think this issue is very important for us, we need to raise this work to a new qualitative level.
In turn, Bayram Begay highly appreciated the state of 2-party cooperation. He noted that Albania intends to strengthen cooperation in tourism, mining, energy and agriculture.
Bayram Begay, President of Albania:
- Our first meeting represents the beginning of our dialogue. We hope that our cooperation will continue in accordance with the common goals of expanding ties between Albania and Kazakhstan, as well as increasing cooperation and humanitarian contacts. We also have great opportunities for economic cooperation. We can use this window of opportunity.
Following the talks, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Bayram Begai adopted a joint statement.
Dinara Abdirova, correspondent:
- In a statement, the leaders of the 2 countries again made it clear that Kazakhstan and Albania have great potential for the implementation of a number of joint projects. The document consists of 12 paragraphs. They identify initiatives in the field of tourism, logistics and economics. It is safe to say that the first ever visit of the President of Albania to our country laid a solid foundation for further successful cooperation based on friendship and mutually beneficial partnership.
Authors: Dinara Abdirova, Erlan Nauryzbaev.
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