Relations between Turkey, Kazakhstan multifaceted, deep, says Kazakh ambassador

Relations between Kazakhstan and Turkey are not only historical and deep but also multi-faceted, the Kazakh ambassador to Turkey said Tuesday.

During the initial years of Kazakhstan’s independence, Turkey provided it with economic, moral and diplomatic support, which it will never forget, Abzal Saparbekuly told reporters at an event held at his country’s embassy in the capital Ankara on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Successful undertakings of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Turkish language and cultural center the Yunus Emre Institute and the joint Turkish-Kazakh Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University strengthen cultural ties, and scholarships given to Kazakh students to study at Turkish universities play an important role in improving cultural relations, Saparbekuly said.

As for commercial relations between the two countries, he pointed out that Turkey is among the biggest investors and trade partners of Kazakhstan.

Saparbekuly also praised the Turkish-Kazakh cooperation in the transportation and defense sectors and noted that a series of negotiations are presently underway to further the cooperation in these fields.

Also touching on the unrest that swept the country in January, he called it a “tragic event” which started as peaceful demonstrations but quickly turned into terrorist acts.

Saparbekuly reiterated that Kazakhstan understands the problems its citizens face and remains adamant to develop economic and political solutions to them.

“We are working on mending the inequality in wealth distribution as well as increasing citizens’ participation in the state apparatus and politics,” he noted.

Saparbekuly also stressed that the country appreciates the importance of a transparent and efficient public administration and accordingly takes steps.

He furthermore remarked that the government is seriously struggling to eliminate corruption in the country, which causes much disturbance among citizens.