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Lukashenko says Belarus can be Western Gateway for Kazakhstan

14 May 2012 21:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Belarus considers Kazakhstan as a platform for expanding its presence in Central Asia and is ready to become Kazakhstan’s gateway to Europe, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in his meeting with visiting President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Lukashenko said Belarus is interested in starting major joint projects with Kazakhstan soon. Belarusian enterprises "wish their more active involvement in Kazakh state programs, including economic modernization projects," he said.

The Belarusian President also noted that he counts on the active participation of Kazakhstan capital in privatization in Belarus, as well as the participation of the Belarusian business in the implementation of state programs in Kazakhstan, including the modernization of its economy.

The presidents welcomed positive trade dynamics and agreed to double bilateral trade within a few years. "We are close to 1 billion U.S. dollars in trade, and that indicator should be doubled. Trade grew by 70 percent in January-March thanks to the Customs Union," Nazarbayev said.

The presidents agreed to hold annual meetings to step up bilateral cooperation.