First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Arman Isagaliyev held talks with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain during a working visit to the Middle East, the website infohub.kz reports.
Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia share a long history of trust-based relations. While visiting the kingdom, Isagaliyev met with Waleed Al-Khuraiji, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. Through him, the Kazakh official conveyed a message from President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. In the message, the Kazakh president expressed solidarity with the leadership of the Middle Eastern country and noted Saudi Arabia's efforts to ensure regional security. The Saudi Foreign Ministry highly appreciated the diplomatic gesture.
In the Kuwaiti capital, the Kazakh delegation held another round of political consultations with counterparts from the local foreign ministry. Prospects for developing mutually beneficial relations between the two states were among the key topics of the talks. In particular, the sides discussed in detail ways to strengthen trade and economic cooperation. Kazakhstan and Kuwait currently have strong prospects for increasing mutual trade turnover. During the meeting, Kazakh representatives stressed that Kazakhstan is ready to further expand supplies of agricultural products and food to Kuwait. A fourth meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation has already been scheduled for future dates.
Kuwait is also an important investment partner for Kazakhstan. As part of the political consultations, the sides raised the issue of strengthening interaction between Kazakh entities and the local Arab Fund for Economic Development. Notably, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan met with Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, and with Sheikha Uhud Al-Sabah, one of Kuwait's largest entrepreneurs. Isagaliyev presented Kuwait with Kazakhstan's capabilities, noting that the country could contribute even more to Kuwait's food security. Local investors and entrepreneurs have shown serious interest in Kazakhstan's agro-industrial complex, particularly in meat products produced in the country.
Kazakh diplomats also held a round of political consultations in another country in the region, Bahrain. The meeting agenda covered a wide range of topics related to strengthening mutually beneficial partnership. Kazakhstan and Bahrain are ready to strengthen ties not only in trade, economic and investment spheres but also in industry, energy, agriculture, tourism and other areas. The next round of political consultations between Kazakhstan and Bahrain will be held in Astana. Both sides are also interested in strengthening cooperation within major international organizations.