Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan to boost cooperation
The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan discussed ways of boosting cooperation between their two countries. Crown
Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and visiting Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev reviewed "developments on the Islamic and international scenes... as well as ways of enhancing cooperation
between the two countries in all domains," a report said.
The crown prince and other high-ranking officials welcomed Nazarbayev on arrival at Riyadh Air Base for a visit
lasting several days. The Kazakh president is accompanied by a 50-strong delegation that includes Foreign Minister
Kassymzhomart Tokayev.
Kazakhstan, which boasts three huge oil fields in and around the Caspian Sea, is becoming a major exporter. The
Central Asian country's oil fields are gradually being developed to supply the international market, with US firms
such as ChevronTexaco and ExxonMobil playing a prominent role. Prince Abdullah awarded Nazarbayev the Kingdom's top
medal -- Qiladat Badr Al-Kubra -- reserved for "top leaders of the Islamic nation" and received Kazakhstan's top
award.
The visit coincides with meetings of a joint economic commission in Riyadh. The two countries agreed to form five
working committees to boost cooperation in commercial, economic, educational, cultural, information, youth, sports
and technical fields.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Hashim Yamani and Teymur Khan Hanibitouv, governor
of Astana City in the former Soviet republic, according to Kazakh diplomats. Dr Yamani highlighted the existing
fraternal relations between the Kingdom and Kazakhstan. He underscored the importance of exploring all means of
enhancing trade exchanges between the two countries.
Hanibitouv said the Kingdom was Kazakhstan's most important strategic partner. He highlighted his country's plans to
develop national industries, agriculture and infrastructure projects and urged Saudi businesses to contribute to its
development.
