Kazakhstan and Turkey brotherly bonds growing stronger – reception in Almaty

He also stressed that Turkey was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan's independence.

According to him, the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership in October 2009 was somewhat a milestone in the development of bilateral relations. "In October 2012, Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev paid the official visit to Turkey where he met with his counterpart Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. President Nazarbayev also took part in the first session of the Strategic Cooperation Council between Kazakhstan and Turkey," Mr. Mussalimov reminded.

The Kazakhstani diplomat also noted that Kazakhstan continues to cooperate with Turkey within the international and regional organizations - such as the UN, the OSCE and the OIC and that cooperation is indeed productive.

"Currently, the potential of development of economic relations between Kazakhstan and Turkey is substantial and we will use all opportunities for its implementation. I am confident that traditionally friendly bilateral ties will strengthen and develop for the benefit of our countries and peoples," I. Mussalimov said.

Turkey's Almaty Consul General Suphi Atan also stated that since Kazakhstan attained independence the countries have achieved significant progress in their relations. "Thanks to top-level visits in recent years the political rapprochement has gained momentum and mutual trust is growing stronger, our ties in socioeconomic, cultural and other spheres are expanding as well," he stressed.

The Turkish diplomat emphasized Kazakhstan is a strategic ally of Turkey and that historical brotherly bonds have cemented throughout the years.

There are 1 860 Turkish companies in Kazakhstan with 500 based in Almaty only. Over the years of diplomatic relations the countries have implemented $20 billion worth of projects. The sales turnover between Kazakhstan and Turkey totals $4 billion. It is expected that this rate will hit $10 billion by 2015.