Italy is ready to expand cooperation with Kazakhstan
Rome, June 1, 2022 - Talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Luigi Di Maio took place as part of the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi to the Italian Republic.
The parties stressed the intensification of relations between the top leadership of Kazakhstan and Italy, as well as the growing mutual interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Moreover, the heads of the Foreign Affairs Ministries discussed the further development and deepening of political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as strengthening the legal framework in the spirit of strategic partnership. An agreement was reached to promote the development of intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary relations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan noted the importance of expanding the range of interaction with Italy.
“Italy is one of the key trade partners of Kazakhstan in Europe. We attach great importance to cooperation with your country. For 30 years of diplomatic relations we have achieved good results,” M. Tleuberdi said.
In turn, Minister L. Di Maio assured that the Italian side is interested in expanding mutually beneficial relations and exchanging visits at the highest and high levels.
“Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia that has signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union. We are ready to continue to cooperate with our reliable partner in the Central Asian region,” the Italian Minister said.
The heads of the Foreign Ministries of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Italy.
It is very symbolic that the high-level meeting took place on the eve of the Italy's National Day. In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan extended congratulations on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella.
Minister M. Tleuberdi also paid special attention to the upcoming national referendum in the Republic of Kazakhstan on the constitutional amendments as the political basis for building the “New Kazakhstan”.
The Italian side expressed strong support for the reforms of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noting that their implementation will contribute to the political modernization of our country.
As is known, an important element of bilateral relations is trade and investment cooperation. In this regard, a round table was held with the representatives of the Italian business community. From the Italian side, the event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Kazakhstan-Italian Task Force on Industrial and Economic Cooperation and Exchange Manlio De Stefano.
The event also addressed the ways of joint work to expand trade and investment ties between the two countries. Italian entrepreneurs expressed their interest in implementing mutually beneficial projects in Kazakhstan in the sectors, as such processing industry, construction, transport and logistics, agriculture, engineering and green energy.
The sides are optimistic about the opening of a direct 2-time a week flight on the route Almaty - Milan to facilitate the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries.
During the visit, M. Tleuberdi also held bilateral meetings with the heads of the Italian companies Maire Tecnimont, Same Deutz-Fahr, Ansaldo Energie S.p.A. and others. The representatives of business circles, having discussed current and prospective projects, confirmed their commitment to further strengthening business partnership with Kazakhstan.
Italy is one of the major investors in the economy of Kazakhstan. According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in 2021, the volume of foreign direct investment from Italy amounted to $122.8 million. The volume of mutual trade between our countries in 2021 amounted to $9.6 billion (exports - $8.8 billion and imports - $0.8 billion).
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/381963?lang=ru