Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev visits Armenia to bolster ties and increase exports

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News April 16, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that Astana is ready to increase exports to Yerevan to $350 million as he visited the Armenian capital on April 15, 2024. Tokayev emphasized that Armenia is a very important and reliable partner for Kazakhstan in the South Caucasus.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Prime Minister’s house in Yerevan. “I welcome you and your delegation to the Republic of Armenia. This is your first official visit to the Republic of Armenia and since 2001, that is, in the last 23 years, there has been no official visit of the President of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said in his welcoming remarks.

“Our relations are based on unwavering friendship and mutual support. Enhancing bilateral ties is our common goal. Our interests in strengthening regional and international security and cooperation coincide. We are interested in further developing a comprehensive partnership with Armenia. That is why today’s visit is of special significance to me,” said the Kazakh President.

Tokayev also met with Alen Simonyan, the president of the National Assembly of Armenia. He stressed the importance of effective legislative support for the bilateral agreements and emphasized the need for robust parliamentary control over their implementation.

Құжаттарға қол қою рәсімі

*****

Церемония подписания документов pic.twitter.com/w5sbTIac8Y
— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Press Office (@aqorda_press) April 15, 2024

Increasing connectivity

While talking about the transport and logistics sector, President Tokayev commended Armenia’s dedication to rebuilding transit links in the South Caucasus and endorsed Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Crossroads of Peace initiative, which seeks to enhance connectivity between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. He additionally backed the suggestion for direct air routes between Kazakhstan’s capitals and other major cities and Armenia.

In talks about potential collaboration in agriculture and digital technologies, the two leaders emphasized the importance of fostering cultural and humanitarian bonds.

In their joint statement, the leaders of Armenia and Kazakhstan affirm their shared commitments to abstain from engaging in any actions, endeavors, or affiliations that undermine the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of each other.

Both the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Kazakhstan advocate for the prompt resolution of all conflicts solely through peaceful means, by the norms and principles of international law as outlined in the UN Charter.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan — *^{Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia on April 15, 2024. (Image Credit: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Press Office)}*

Armenian leader announced that to honor the visit of the Kazakh leader, one street in Yerevan would be named after a Kazakh philosopher Abai, while Tokayev added that one street in Astana would be named after the creator of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots.

Peace agreement with Azerbaijan

During a joint press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Tokayev announced that the two countries have agreed to collaborate actively and engage in the peace process. He emphasized supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan’s efforts to reach a peace agreement, underscoring their shared commitment to this endeavor.

President Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s support for peaceful resolution and expressed readiness to assist all endeavors in this regard. Both sides agreed to explore the potential for practical realization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements.

Last month, Tokayev also traveled to Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. During his visit on March 11-12, the Kazakh leader also toured the Karabakh region, which has long been a focal point of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, and Baku gained control of it through military operations in 2020 and 2023.