Cypriot Foreign Minister arrives in Astana on official visit

    The Foreign Minister of Cyprus has arrived in Astana on an official visit.
    At a meeting with the Kazakh Secretary of State Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed, FM Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis discussed a further intensification of cooperation between the two countries.
    The two sides noted a significant increase in bilateral trade. Last year alone, it grew nine times compared to 2010.
    The Secretary of State praised Cyprus’ support for Kazakhstan’s international initiatives and outlined prospects for scientific and technical cooperation under the Path to Europe program.
    Kozakou-Marcoullis and Senate Speaker Kairat Mami discussed inter-parliamentary dialogue.
    The speaker stressed the importance of the visit on part of the Cypriot foreign minister for the development of bilateral relations, and spoke in favor of the creation of a friendship group for the two nations’ parliaments.
    Mami said the Senate and the Majilis, have cooperation groups that are working successfully with parliamentarians of many countries across the world.
    Kozakou-Marcoullis also met with her Kazakh counterpart Yerzhan Kazykhanov.
    The two sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in tourism as well as staff training in finance, investment management, and information technology.
    At a press conference, the two ministers told reporters Kazakhstan and Cyprus support the efforts of the international community to strengthen regional security and enhance the dialogue among civilizations, Caspionet wrote.