Baku and Astana strengthen strategic partnership

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana on October 21. 

The Kazakh leader stressed that it is a great honor and pleasure for me to welcome Ilham Aliyev on an official state visit to Kazakhstan.

"This is a very important event from the perspective of further strengthening the strategic partnership and allied relations between our countries," Tokayev said.

The Kazakh president added that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are not only friendly states but also brotherly peoples and nations, therefore, the development of multifaceted cooperation with Azerbaijan is represents a major priority for Kazakhstan.

He added that Azerbaijan, under Ilham Aliyev's leadership, has noticeably bolstered its positions, reinforced its authority on the international stage.

"For us, fostering both economic and trade-economic cooperation - not to mention advancing our political partnership - is an urgent and highly important task," Tokayev said.

Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit Kazakhstan and for the hospitality, as well as for the kind words about Azerbaijan.

"We share the same sentiments toward the fraternal people of Kazakhstan. We also rejoice in the successes of the fraternal country under your leadership, both in socio-economic development and in strengthening its international positions," Ilham Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani President acknowledged Kazakhstan's high level of development. He noted the country's socio-political stability and economic self-sufficiency. Ilham Aliyev noted that Baku observe with great interest the reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, he added that Azerbaijan fully supports Tokayev's course toward modernizing the country and enhancing its potential.

"Regarding our bilateral relations, you noted their strategic and allied nature. We are focused on strengthening interaction across all areas," Ilham Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani leader added that the sides will review the extensive agenda and outline further steps to strengthen our partnership.