The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrisov held talks with the Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt during an official visit to Stockholm, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said.

"During the meeting the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and trade fields, as well as cooperation in the international arena on topical international issues," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Idrisov informed his Swedish counterpart of the fact that Kazakhstan is opening an embassy in Stockholm this year in order to further strengthen cooperation.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on topical issues on the international agenda, including nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament and the situation in Afghanistan and Iran.

Idrisov invited Bildt to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan and attend the Ministerial Meeting of States Parties to the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan. The Swedish minister accepted the invitation and confirmed his arrival in Almaty in late April to participate in the aforementioned conference.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrisov paid an official visit to Norway on March 21, Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan said.

During the visit, Idrisov met with the Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borten Moe.

"The sides discussed cooperation in traditional areas, including oil and gas, as well as development of renewable energy sources, including hydropower engineering (97 percent of electricity in Norway is generated by water) and production of biofuel," according to the statement.

Leaders of the two agencies agreed to continue cooperation for further involvement of the Norwegian experience and technology to develop clean and innovative energy in Kazakhstan.

Idrisov also met with Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Marit Nybakk.

"During the talks, the sides mainly discussed the issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation, nuclear non-proliferation, regional cooperation," the Foreign Ministry said.

During the visit, Idrisov also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Eide. The meeting discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues, including the expansion of trade between the two countries, negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, assistance to Afghanistan and cooperation with the countries of Central Asia. Eide appreciated the upcoming opening of a full-fledged embassy of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Norway.

World media monitoring

25.03.2013