Kazakhstan hails 'friendly' cooperation with Jordan

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev hailed on Wednesday a "very trustful and friendly" cooperation with Jordan, according to a presidential statement.

"Over the years, we have built a very trustful and friendly cooperation. We support each other within the framework of international organizations. Jordan supports Kazakhstan's initiatives in the global arena," Nazarbayev said at a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II in the capital Astana.

Nazarbayev said he appreciates peacekeeping activities of Jordan’s king and awarded him with an international prize "for a world without nuclear weapons and global security".

"Your country also takes an active part in the Astana process. Jordan has accepted more than one million Syrian refugees, you are providing financial and humanitarian assistance to Syria. I think that the whole world should appreciate this," he said.

According to the statement, the Jordanian monarch, for his part, emphasized the "trusting" nature of existing ties and welcomed Nazarbayev's "important" role in the peaceful settlement of international conflicts.

"We really appreciate that you make this world more perfect and safe. Your leadership is very important for everyone," the king said.

During King Abdullah’s two-day visit to Kazakhstan, the leaders will exchange views on bilateral relations particularly trade and economic cooperation.