President Ilham Aliyev: Relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan - an example of brotherhood and trust

On the eve of his state visit to Kazakhstan, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an exclusive interview to Kazinform agency, in which he spoke about the high level of political dialogue between the two countries, the rapid development of cooperation in the transport-logistics and oil and gas sectors, as well as the prospects for joint work in the field of "green" energy and initiatives within the Organization of Turkic States.

AZERTAC presents the interview.

- Dear Mr. President, your state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan is expected very soon. How would you characterize the level of current political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and what are your expectations from the upcoming visit?

- Political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan today are characterized by a high degree of strength and mutual trust. Over the past decades, based on historical ties of brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, on a solid foundation of common Turkic identity, similar cultural traditions, and spiritual values between our peoples, we have built relations of genuine strategic and allied partnership.

Undoubtedly, an important factor contributing to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation is the active and constructive dialogue that is conducted at the highest level and gives impetus to the comprehensive deepening of interstate relations at all levels.

This is my seventh visit to the brotherly country in the last three years. It is a pleasure for me to observe dynamic development and new successes during each visit to Kazakhstan. These achievements testify to the purposeful and calibrated state policy pursued under the leadership of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev. Particularly impressive is the successful implementation of reforms aimed at modernizing the country and diversifying the economy. I would like to congratulate the entire brotherly people of Kazakhstan on the results achieved. During the same period, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev has visited Azerbaijan six times. All this testifies to our mutual desire to develop relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between our countries. In addition, regular contacts allow us to promptly address current agenda issues and develop coordinated positions on key areas of cooperation.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to once again express my gratitude to brotherly Kazakhstan for the construction of the Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center in the liberated city of Fuzuli. This center has become an important cultural and educational institution, where about 100 children are currently studying.

Over the years, we have developed a solid legal framework - about 170 documents, established mechanisms for fruitful cooperation in political, trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian, and other areas. I would especially like to note the significance of the Treaty of Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the 20th anniversary of which we celebrated this year. This document laid a reliable foundation for the development of Azerbaijani-Kazakh cooperation in various sectors, and over the years, cooperation between our countries has significantly expanded in all areas.

It is also worth noting the importance of holding the Supreme Interstate Council, the first meeting of which took place last year during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During the upcoming second meeting in Astana, further prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and steps to take Azerbaijani-Kazakh relations to a new level will be discussed.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also effectively interact in a multilateral format, particularly within the framework of international and regional organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of