Kazakh, Brazilian FMs discuss trade and cooperation in Astana
Foreign ministers of Kazakhstan and Brazil – Yermek Kosherbayev and Mauro Vieira – had talks in Astana, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Vieira arrived in the Kazakh capital for an official visit.
During the talks, Kosherbayev stated that Astana views Brazil as one of its key partners.
“This year marks the 33rd anniversary of our diplomatic relations, defined by a shared commitment to strengthening the political dialogue, developing trade and enhancing cooperation within international organizations. We should continue to deepen both our bilateral ties and institutional partnership,” Kosherbayev said.
He also emphasized that it has been 17 years since the last official visit of a Brazilian president to Kazakhstan.
“We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to welcome President Lula here. Our cooperation has gained new momentum thanks to the strengthening of inter‑parliamentary ties. Over the past three years, representatives of the Brazilian parliament have visited Astana and taken part in meetings of inter‑parliamentary friendship groups,” said the Kazakh Foreign Minister.
Kosherbayev expressed hope that the two countries’ business communities would be able to discuss the prospects for economic collaboration and cooperation expansion.
For his part, Mauro Vieira conveyed warm wishes from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and confirmed interest in further strengthening of bilateral relations.
He said it was a great honor for him to visit Astana and to have the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest.
“As you have already noted, we have very good relations. We are marking 33 years of bilateral relations, and before my trip here President Lula instructed me to convey his best wishes to your government, to President Tokayev, and to reaffirm Brazil’s commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties,” Vieira said.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister said that despite its geographical remoteness, Brazil is interested in strengthening ties with Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
“Although geographically we are separated by great distances, we want to be closer to Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a whole in trade, politics, and culture. We have excellent prospects for developing bilateral relations in the field of trade,” he emphasized.
According to him, Brazil is interested in increasing imports of fertilizers from Kazakhstan and development of cooperation in agriculture.
“Brazil is a large agricultural producer. We are interested in developing this interaction and explore the prospects for interaction in animal protein and other important areas of cooperation,” Vieira said.
He also said that a delegation of private sector representatives, including major Brazilian oil companies, arrived in Kazakhstan with him.
Earlier it was noted that Brazil ranks first among Latin American and Caribbean countries in terms of bilateral trade volume with Kazakhstan. The current trade turnover between the two countries amounts to 296 million US dollars.