Nazarbaev, Czech President Zeman, meet in Astana

    Nazarbaev, Czech President Zeman, meet in Astana
    Visiting Czech President Milos Zeman and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbaev held talks in Astana on November 24.
    Nazarbaev's news statement said the presidents discussed bilateral trade, economic, agricultural, and cultural ties, as well as current international issues.
    Nazarbaev said after the talks that the Czech Republic is an important economic partner, mentioning 70 joint Czech-Kazakh companies functioning in Kazakhstan, including facilities assembling Skoda cars.
    Zeman said that Kazakhstan "occupies a key position in Central Asia" and is crucial to efforts to increase trade in the region of the traditional Silk Road.
    Thirteen deals worth a total of $450 million are expected to be signed at a Kazakh-Czech Business Forum following the presidents' talks.
    Zeman's two-day visit ends on November 25, according to RFE/RL.