Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

Kazakhstan and Turkey, the two Turkic speaking countries with expanded economic ties, have discussed the possibility of strengthening cooperation in trade, investment making, agriculture, culture and humanitarian fields.

The discussions were held in Istanbul on April 13 at a meeting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is on a visit to Turkey to attend the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Akorda reported.

During the meeting, the sides pointed out the promising joint projects, the implementation of which can involve the small and medium business representatives from both countries.

Nazarbayev and Erdogan also reviewed the progress in implementation of the agreements reached during the Turkish president's visit to Kazakhstan in April 2015.

The Kazakh president pointed out that leading Turkish companies and holdings can actively participate in implementation of the 'Nurly Zhol' program, as well as the industrial and innovative development programs in Kazakhstan.

Nazarbayev also highlighted Kazakhstan's transit and transportation potential, which can be effectively used for economic development of both countries.

The Turkish president, for his part, underscored the necessity of strengthening the bilateral cooperation for achieving goals in a number of fields.

With growing economic ties with world countries, Turkey, in recent years has focused on more effective cooperation with Central Asian states. Thanks to its geographic, religious, cultural, and historical bonds both with Europe and Central Asia, Turkey intends to be a bridge between the countries of these regions.

Turkey, best positioned in between Europe and Asia, is also a stable economic and political partner of Central Asian states, in particular of Kazakhstan. Active cooperation with Astana is on the focus of Ankara's long term economic interests. Also, Turkey is seen as an economically stabile route for seamless transportation of Kazakhstan's huge oil and gas resources to international markets.

Turkey considers Kazakhstan as one of the most important players in the supply of Central Asia’s energy resources to European markets through the Caspian Sea.

Development of transport and transit potential between the two countries is also among the most important areas of cooperation.

Experts believe that Kazakhstan, which intends to develop its ability to export not only oil, but also other products, in particular metals and grain across the Caspian Sea, considers Turkey as a good route with a long coastline and hundreds of years of maritime experience.

In this case both sides will have a profit: Kazakhstan will benefits from a new export route, while Turkey - from goods imported and transit fees for Kazakh goods heading to Europe.

Turkish companies actively cooperate in various fields of the Kazakh economy. More than 1,800 Turkish companies operate in Kazakhstan, and this figure exceeds the number of other foreign companies operating in the country. Till mid-2015, the total cost of projects implemented by Turkish contractors in Kazakhstan stands at about $17.5 billion.

In 2012-2015, the trade turnover between the two countries has doubled - from $2 billion to $4 billion, and this figure is projected to reach $10 billion within the framework of the program New Synergy, adopted by the heads of the two states eralier.

Turkey and Kazakhstan, which have a great relationship since the collapse of the Soviet Union, are expected to further enjoy goodwill that provides a basis for closer and larger cooperation.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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