On the picture President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Picture courtesy of the Embassy of Kazakhstan.
Kazakh-Dutch Relations – based on trust and mutual benefits high dynamics of political dialogue, growth of trade-economic ties. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands H.E. Mr. M. Rutte paid an official visit to Kazakhstan.
By H.E. Ms. Mainura Murzamadiyeva Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 multifaceted bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Netherlands has been actively developing. Interaction based on trust and mutual interests on political, trade-economic, scientific and technological as well as cultural relations enhancing.
It is a fact that relationships between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands are maintained on a high political level. This is confirmed by regular visits of high level officials of both states and good inter-parliamentary cooperation. Netherlands is a leading European investor to the economy of Kazakhstan. According to the latest official data of National Bank of Kazakhstan the inflow of direct investments from Netherlands to Kazakhstan since its independence comprised about 59 billion US dollars.
In continuation of high level political dialogue between the leaders of two states Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte arrived in Astana Dec. 2 for an official visit which was also intended to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between two countries.
Head of the Dutch Government held meetings with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Karim Massimov, Chairman of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chairman of the Mazhilis (Lower Chamber of Parliament) Kabibulla Dzhakupov. The official programme of the visit included the meeting with representatives of top business communities of both sides as well as the signing of an official agreement on the Netherlands’ participation in EXPO 2017.
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime-Minister Mark Rutte discussed the status of bilateral economic relations, issues in the oil and gas industry, agriculture, transport and space development and exchanged views on other international issues.
Head of Kazakhstan noted that the Netherlands is an important partner for Kazakhstan.
“This is our fourth meeting. My visit to your country last year was very fruitful and its results were important. … The Netherlands is one of the largest investors into the economy of Kazakhstan and one of our most important trade partners. We see your visit as an indication of your will to bring our bilateral relations to a new level,” he said.
President Nazarbayev also stressed the importance of the business delegation accompanying Dutch Prime-Minister, which represented seven major Dutch companies working successfully in Kazakhstan.
In turn, Prime Minister Rutte noted the broad opportunities that exist for cooperation, in particular in light of Kazakhstan’s ongoing process of economic diversification.
Mark Rutte emphasized broad opportunities for bilateral cooperation, especially in the framework of the 100 Concrete Steps national plan that is aimed at further diversification of Kazakhstan’s economy. “I believe that this agreement will set a completely new qualitative basis for political and economic ties between our countries,” he said.
He also highlighted the opening ceremony of Astana Square (“Astanaplein”) in Rotterdam in November as clear evidence of strengthening and friendly relations between the two countries.
During the bilateral meetings with Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov, Head of Dutch Government Mark Rutte discussed trade, economy, cooperation in the oil and gas industry, agricultural innovations and interaction within the EU.
“The agricultural sector is well developed in the Netherlands. Even though your country is 65 times smaller than Kazakhstan, it is the second largest agricultural producer in the EU. This offers a great opportunity to increase Kazakhstan’s potential productivity. Your visit will be very important and useful for future development,” – K.Massimov said.
Prime Minister Rutte noted that Kazakhstan is the first country in Central Asia to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU (to be effected at the end of December in Astana).
Following the meeting of the nations’ leaders, Chairman of the Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Akhmetzhan Yessimov and Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kazakhstan Hans Driesser signed an agreement on the Netherlands’ participation in the upcoming international specialised exhibition EXPO 2017 in Astana, the Astana EXPO 2017 company website reported.
For information: http://www.kazembassy.nl/index.php/en/
Photography by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.
