Jordan, Kazakhstan set to expand cooperation

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Wednesday held talks in Astana that focused on enhancing relations between the two countries at all levels and the latest developments in the Middle East.

At the beginning of the talks, held at the presidential palace, His Majesty accepted the Nazarbayev International Prize for Contributions to Nuclear Disarmament and Security from the Kazakh president, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King is the first laureate of the prize, which was granted to him as a gesture of appreciation for his continuous efforts and endeavours to achieve regional and international security and stability. 

His Majesty said he is pleased to visit Kazakhstan and to be amongst brothers and friends, thanking the Kazakh president for the award and accepting it on behalf of all Jordanians.

Commenting on President Nazarbayev’s remarks that the two countries are marking almost 25 years of relations, the King said the relationship is a generational one, citing the special friendship between the Kazakh president and His Majesty the late King Hussein.

The King also praised Kazakhstan’s role in international affairs, in fields such as nuclear disarmament, interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution.

If it were not for Kazakhstan’s leadership, His Majesty said, the world would be in a much more difficult place.

The King also thanked Kazakhstan for standing by Jordan in difficult times.

In his press remarks, King Abdullah said the recognition stands both for hope, and for responsibility. “Hope that humanity can avert the terrible destruction of nuclear war; and that we can achieve the lasting security of global peace and prosperity. But also, responsibility to act decisively and boldly; and to come together, all of us, to create the conditions for peace,” he said (see full text of speech).  

For his part, Nazarbayev expressed his country’s appreciation for the Jordanian efforts seeking to achieve security and stability in the region and the world.

The president welcomed His Majesty’s visit, which came shortly before both countries’ mark of establishing ties.

He also referred to the prosperous partnership and friendship over these years and the several meetings he had with King Abdullah recently, in addition to mutual support each country offered to the other during international functions.

Nazarbayev noted that bilateral relations have improved in several sectors, such as agriculture and defence industries, underlining the pivotal role the Kingdom plays, not only in the region, but also at the global level.

The Kazakh leader also highlighted the personal role of His Majesty in settling various conflicts, a role that is a continuation of His Majesty the late King Hussein.

Nazarbayev noted that his country hosts an annual conference on nuclear disarmament, and that he launched a prize to leaders who play a distinguished role in the field.

He said that selecting His Majesty as the first figure to receive the prize reflects the King’s role in maintaining peace in the region.

“In view of our state’s role, I established a special prize for those who are notable for the fight against nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan has decided to award you with the first prize, and I signed the respective decree,” Nazarbayev was quoted as saying by the Kazakh official news agency.

“It is the recognition of your services and we hope that you, under the conditions of war in Syria [and] Iraq, will continue to play a peacekeeping role that brings nations together,” the president added.

Regarding the Astana process on Syria, he said: “Your country also plays a big role. For this reason, the special commission awarded this prize to you. It is a great honour for me to present it”.

Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah met with Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev for talks on means to bolster economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

They reviewed investment opportunities provided by the Kingdom in various sectors, as well as cooperation between Jordan and Kazakhstan in the agricultural, energy, renewable energy, ICT, defence industries, human resources development as well as pharmaceutical industries fields.

His Majesty also met with President of the Kazakh Senate Kasim Zhomart Tokaev over cooperation between the two countries in the legislative field.

King Abdullah and Tokaev highlighted the importance of the Astana talks, whose new edition will also be hosted by Kazakhstan, to arrive at a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

The talks also focused on the latest developments in the Middle East, as well as regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

King Abdullah, prior to concluding his official working visit to Kazakhstan and returning to the Kingdom, visited the Astana Expo 2017, where he toured the pavilion of Kazakhstan that features various models of future energy resources, as well as the future plan of Astana until 2050.

The Monarch was briefed on projects being implemented by the public and private sectors in Kazakhstan in the solar and wind energy fields, amounting to 28 in total.

Around 580,000 people visited the Jordanian pavilion at the exhibition, which was held between June 10 and September with the participation of 115 countries and 22 international organisations, according to officials. 

Pavilion visitors had a firsthand look to get acquainted with investment opportunities in the Jordanian economy in general, and in the energy sector in particular.