OREANDA-NEWS. February 20, 2012. During a working visit to the United Arab Emirates the Head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev Met with President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The sides discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade-economic and investment spheres. The President congratulated Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the 40th anniversary of the state formation and wished friendly people of the United Arab Emirates welfare and prosperity.

The Head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that the UAE is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab and Muslim world.

The sides noted the similarity of positions on topical issues in the Middle East and North Africa, modern world order.

The President outlined that Kazakhstan stands for early normalization of the situation around Iran as well as Syria.

Nursultan Nazarbayev and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan highly appreciated the current potential in development of trade-economic and investment cooperation. The Head of State noted that this year Kazakhstan and the UAE will mark the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

The parties noted successful holding of the fifth session of the Kazakh-Emirati intergovernmental commission in Abu Dhabi in November, 2011, and welcomed to carry out the sixth session in Kazakhstan.

The sides highly appraised successful execution of the agreements on implementation of ambitious investment projects.

The sides expressed satisfaction with successful activity of Al Hilal Bank, the only Islamic bank in the post-Soviet space.

The sides noted a start of functioning of the Kazakh-Emirati Fund "Al-Falah".

The UAE President expressed satisfaction with the rates of bilateral cooperation and emphasized that the UAE is ready for development of fruitful cooperation with Kazakhstan in the oil and gas and petrochemical spheres. The Emirati side is interested in the agricultural sector of our country.

Representatives of small and medium business should play a special role in activation of trade-economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. The sides noted necessity of their support as well as creation of favorable conditions for development of partnership relations.
At the meeting the President of Kazakhstan informed of Astana's bid to host EXPO 2017. The UAE support of Astana's candidacy will be a great contribution in further strengthening of bilateral cooperation, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted.

The Head of state outlined that Kazakhstan is interested in the UAE experience in development, support and use of ecologically clean and renewable energy sources.

The same day Nursultan Nazarbayev met with General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. They discussed the issues of further activation of bilateral cooperation in various spheres.