ISTANBUL

Kazakhstan and Mongolia on Tuesday signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries, as their presidents met in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

According to a statement by the Kazakh presidential press service Akorda, the joint declaration was signed after talks between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who arrived in the country on a two-day visit on Monday, and his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

The statement said both presidents later participated in a ceremony where 11 documents were signed between their delegations to further enhance bilateral ties, including in sectors such as trade, aviation, transportation, agriculture, and tourism.

During a press conference, Tokayev thanked his Mongolian counterpart for his invitation to visit the country, expressing that Astana’s relations with Ulaanbaatar have been developing dynamically in recent years.

“Today, cooperation based on strong friendship has grown into a strategic partnership. Mr. Khurelsukh and I signed a joint declaration … aimed at strengthening friendship between the two countries and giving new impetus to the development of contacts in various fields,” Tokayev said.

He added that agreements have also been reached on deepening trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

In this regard, the Kazakh president said both countries plan to increase mutual trade from $150 million last year to $500 million in the “foreseeable future.”

“To do this, it is necessary to expand the range of goods and remove barriers that hinder economic integration. The governments of both countries have been instructed to take appropriate measures,” Tokayev said, indicating that their delegations also discussed the prospects for joint efforts in agriculture, industry, transport and logistics and energy.

He said he and his counterpart also discussed issues regarding transport and logistics, and highlighted increasing the competitiveness of international corridors as a key point.

“To do this, it is necessary to improve transport links between our countries and with third countries. This will contribute to an increase in the volume of cargo transportation through the territory of our countries. It is important to effectively use the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the International North–South Transport Corridor,” he added.

For his part, Khurelsukh said the raising of Kazakh-Mongolian ties to the level of strategic partnership opens a new era in the history of their relations, noting that Astana has become the first Central Asian country to become a strategic partner of Mongolia.

Tokayev later held talks with Mongolia's premier and the head of the country's parliament.