Astana, 13 February 2024 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Kazakhstan Willy Kempel.

During the conversation, the two sides discussed topical issues on the bilateral and international agenda.

Diplomats expressed mutual desire to further strengthen political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria.

The interlocutors noted the important role of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in the context of further building up business contacts and investment partnership (co-chairs R. Vasilenko and Director General of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy of Austria F. Frauscher).

Vasilenko stressed the interest of the Kazakh side in further expanding the legal framework of bilateral co-operation and, in particular, in concluding new legal co-operation agreements.

In addition, the Kazakh diplomat touched upon the issue of visa facilitation for citizens of Kazakhstan through the European Union. As noted by R. Vasilenko, the promotion of dialogue and the achievement of concrete measures in this area will contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for the activation of mutually beneficial interaction across the entire spectrum of cooperation.

For reference: Kazakhstan and Austria are important economic partners. According to Kazakhstani statistics, at the end of 2023, bilateral trade turnover totalled $332.6 million (exports - $9.7 million, imports - $322.9 million). Since 2005, investments from Austria to Kazakhstan totalled US$3 billion.