Astana, Ankara to boost bilateral cooperation
ASTANA. April 27. KAZINFORM /Gulnara Zhandagulova/ Today Akim of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov and Mayor of Ankara Melih Gokcek who is on a working visit to Kazakhstan have agreed on boosting bilateral cooperation and increasing the share of investment projects.
Greeting the Mayor of Ankara I. Tasmagambetiv said that was the fourth visit of M. Gokcek to Astana over 12 years. In 2001 there was signed an Agreement on establishment of friendly ties between two capital cities.
M. Gokcek noted rapid growth of Astana. "I am confident that Kazakhstan will become a model for the whole world", he said.
Mr. Gokcek invited the administration of the Kazakh city to pay a working visit to Ankara. "We will be pleased to receive a delegation of Astana", he noted.
"The population of Ankara today makes around 5 mln people. The volume of construction of roads and road junctions is quite big. The Turkish strategy of road construction is notable for effectiveness since we do not see traffic jams as in large cities. This experience can be useful for Kazakhstan too", I. Tasmagambetov said in turn.
The foreign trade turnover between Ankara and Astana made USD 14.4 mln in January-February, 2010 (USD 4.6 mln of export and USD 9.8 mln of import). Kazakhstan exports primarily crude oil, metals to Turkey and imports construction materials, chemical products and textile.