UAE_President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
File handout photo, released by the Saudi Royal Palace on May 31, 2019. Saudi Royal Palace via AFP / BANDAR AL-JALOUD

KEY POINTS

  • Sheikh Mohamed and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting in Abu Dhabi
  • The leaders reviewed their longstanding cooperation during the meeting
  • Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan's cooperation in key sectors

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Tuesday welcomed Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral ties between the two nations and inked several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to foster future joint projects.

They also reviewed the longstanding cooperation between the UAE and Kazakhstan and discussed ways to diversify their partnerships in various areas, including renewable energy and investment.

Sheikh Mohamed touched on the establishment of a diplomatic agreement signed in October 2021, saying it represents a major step in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of trade, space, energy, and other sectors.

Sheikh Mohamed also expressed hopes for Kazakhstan's active participation in CoP28, which the UAE is set to host in November. He said the UAE is with Kazakhstan in its efforts to address global crises and build a better tomorrow for the younger generations.

For his part, Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan's partnership with the UAE, welcoming the Emirates' support to their country since its independence. "The Kazakh people will never forget this," he said. "The Arab Emirates has contributed significantly to the development and beautification of our capital. This is clear evidence of true friendship."

"Last year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Kazakhstan, and during this period, our relations became more deep-rooted and grew to new levels," he added, noting that there has been a constructive partnership between the two nations. Tokayev also said his visit was critical for his country and that the joint projects of the UAE and Kazakhstan in the pipeline would be beneficial both for the people of both nations.

Among the deals signed during the meeting were the establishment of strategic investment projects, including an MOU on air transport between the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development as well as an MOU between the UAE's Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and Kazakhstan's Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration.

The UAE invested $146.6 million in projects in Kazakhstan between January and September of 2022, as per a report by QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development released on Jan. 16.