The economic boom that Kazakhstan has made, as well as the primate it has as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, for Macedonia is an additional incentive to maximize economic cooperation and attract Kazakh investments, said today in Astana the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at the joint press conference with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

President Ivanov, who is paying a two-day official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, said that the meeting with his host noted that relations between Macedonia and Kazakhstan are traditionally friendly and progressing, and that with the signing of the three agreements in the economic area, a legal framework for cooperation between the two economies has been established, which would be beneficial for the citizens of both countries.

“I regret we failed to establish contacts earlier. Lost time must be compensated”, the Macedonian President said. He also said that although Macedonia and Kazakhstan are geographically distant, there are many similarities between the two countries and a common desire for comprehensive development of mutual relations.

“Both Macedonia and Kazakhstan are a bridge of civilization and cultural cooperation between East and West. Both countries play an important and crucial role in their regions”, President Ivanov stressed.

The Head of Macedonian state reminded that Macedonia is practically implementing the dialogue among civilizations as its regional project to promote ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, and invited President Nazarbayev to attend the next Summit of this initiative.

"Macedonia is an example of interethnic coexistence, thanks to the unique model of integration without assimilation we managed to establish, maintain and upgrade", President Ivanov said.

The two presidents at the meeting discussed the possibilities for cooperation in the field of culture, science and education, and, as President Ivanov emphasized, it is necessary to improve the legal framework, intensify political dialogue, frequent meetings, exchange of visits and personal contacts. In this context, the Macedonian President outlined the possibilities for visits of Kazakh tourists to Macedonia.

"I am pleased with the conviction I received from your president that Kazakhstan will be our future and sincere partner in several areas", President Ivanov said, adding that although the strategic goals of Macedonia are full-fledged membership in NATO and the EU, the country pursues a policy of friendship and openness to the whole world: "to the East and West, to all successful, sincere and open to cooperate".

Nazarbayev stressed that Macedonia is most probably one of the most important friends of Kazakhstan, emphasizing the interest of the country in strengthening economic cooperation and relations. The Kazakh President stressed that, from their side, there is interest to cooperate in the sphere of energy, textile and pharmaceutical industry, construction and agriculture.

According to Nazarabaev, of particular importance to strengthening relations between both countries will be intensification of cooperation in the sphere of culture, tourism, education and science.

During the visit of President Ivanov to Kazakhstan, the Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Petrov, who is part of the official Macedonian delegation, signed three agreements in the economic sphere between the Macedonian and the Kazakhstan government. Deputy Minister Petrov and the Kazakh Minister of Finance, Bolat Zamishev signed an Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to income taxes. The Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Aset Isekeshev, signed the Agreement on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments, and the Minister for Economic Development and Trade, Bakidzhan Sagintav, the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

This afternoon, as part of his first official visit to Kazakhstan, President Ivanov will meet the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov and the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Senate, Kairat Mami, and will address the Macedonian-Kazakh business forum, where Macedonia's investment opportunities will be presented to the Kazakh businessmen.

Besides Deputy Foreign Minister Petrov, a member of the delegation accompanying President Ivanov during the official visit to Kazakhstan is the Director of the Technological and Industrial Development Zones, Viktor Mizo.