BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 21. Kazakhstan and
Azerbaijan are considering further development of the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route (TITR) as a key area of bilateral
cooperation.


The Kazakh Foreign Ministry said this following a meeting
between Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Azerbaijan's
Ambassador to Kazakhstan Alimirzamin Askerov.


Kosherbayev congratulated Askerov on his appointment and wished
him success in his diplomatic mission.


The sides discussed current bilateral cooperation and prospects
for further strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance
between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.


"Regular contacts and a trusting dialogue between the heads of
state provide a solid foundation for the steady development of
Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations," the ministry said.


Kosherbayev briefed the ambassador on political and
socioeconomic reforms underway in Kazakhstan, noting that the
country had entered a new stage of development.


In this context, the sides highlighted the importance of the
Aug. 23 elections to the Kurultai as a key stage in implementing
Kazakhstan's new constitutional model.


The meeting also focused on trade and economic cooperation. The
sides noted positive dynamics in bilateral trade and significant
potential for expanding non-resource exports, developing industrial
cooperation and increasing mutual investment.


They also emphasized the importance of further developing
transit and transport ties. Kazakhstan views Azerbaijan as one of
its key partners in developing the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route.


The sides also exchanged views on cooperation within
international organizations, including the United Nations, the
Organization of Turkic States, the Conference on Interaction and
Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation.


At the end of the meeting, Askerov thanked the Kazakh side for
the warm welcome and reaffirmed his readiness to support the
further development of relations between the two countries based on
strategic partnership and alliance.