Pashinyan and Tokayev Emphasize the Importance of Wheat Import from Kazakhstan to Armenia by Railway

An expanded meeting has taken place between Nikol Pashinyan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that Armenia is a key partner for Kazakhstan in trade and economic relations, and the Kazakh people have great respect for the Armenian people, their history, culture, and traditions. According to him, Armenia has today become a beloved tourist destination for the Kazakh people.

According to the President of Kazakhstan, the relationship between the two countries is open, based on mutual trust, and cooperation is close in both regional and international platforms. 'Our cooperation is continuously developing in trade, economic, cultural, and educational areas. I want to emphasize that our inter-state relations are special, and we have great opportunities to develop our cooperation in multiple ways. Today we will sign historical documents, including one that will elevate our relations to the level of strategic partnership,' said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Pashinyan emphasized that the key outcome of this visit is the development of bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership. According to the Prime Minister, based on this framework, the parties will give new momentum to the further development of relations in all directions—high-level political dialogue, deepening economic cooperation, and of course, cooperation in the humanitarian sector is also taking on new forms.

'Today, one of the streets in Astana was named after St. Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet. We also perceive this as a sign of respect for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia,' said Nikol Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister stated that the changes occurring in the region open up new opportunities for further deepening economic relations and new transportation opportunities that need to be seriously explored. He added that members of the intergovernmental commission of the two countries are receiving a new agenda, the work on which has already started.

Next, Nikol Pashinyan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of trade and economic and business ties, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, air communication, education, and culture. The interlocutors emphasized the unblocking of regional communication routes, which would give a new impetus to the development and expansion of regional relations. In this respect, the leaders stressed the importance of the fact that wheat is being imported from Kazakhstan to Armenia by railway and expressed hope that this process will be continuous. Moreover, they considered it important to implement the TRIPP and 'Crossroads of Peace' projects.

The President of Kazakhstan also emphasized Prime Minister Pashinyan's personal efforts in establishing peace and stability in the region, adding that his country consistently supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Kazakhstan. They exchanged ideas on the operation of direct flights between Yerevan and Astana, digitization, student exchange programs, and the further development of cooperation in other areas.

Prime Minister Pashinyan invited the President of Kazakhstan for a state visit to Armenia, which was graciously accepted.