On March 11, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan visited the Republic of Azerbaijan for a state visit. The visit included various meetings and discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation and address regional issues of mutual interest.

The first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan welcomed Tokayev, emphasizing the significance of their discussions in shaping the future agenda of bilateral relations. Both leaders highlighted the historical ties and brotherly relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, rooted in centuries of cooperation and mutual respect.

Aliyev congratulated Tokayev on Kazakhstan's achievements in socio-economic development and commended the country's efforts in modernization and economic diversification. The leaders discussed regional issues, including peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with President Aliyev expressing hope for a peaceful resolution.

Acknowledging Kazakhstan's support in the reconstruction of Karabakh, President Aliyev expressed gratitude for initiatives like the Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center in Fuzuli, symbolizing the strong friendship between the two nations.

President Tokayev reciprocated the warm welcome and congratulated President Aliyev on his recent presidential victory and Azerbaijan's historic victory in restoring sovereignty over its territory. He emphasized the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and the broad prospects for cooperation in various fields, including trade, economy, energy, transportation, and digitalization.

The leaders discussed participation in international forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the COP29 Summit, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in addressing climate issues.

Both presidents emphasized the importance of cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges, underscoring the significance of events like Kazakhstan Culture Days in Azerbaijan and the opening of the Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center.

Container train from China's Xi'an terminal to Baku's Absheron station

On March 11, the ceremony marking the arrival of the container train from China's Xi'an terminal to Baku's Absheron station, attended by Aliyev and Tokayev via a video link, marked a significant milestone in regional transportation and logistics cooperation.

The container train's journey from the Kazakhstan-China terminal to Baku's Absheron station in just 11 days underscores the efficiency and importance of the Middle Corridor route. The train's successful dispatching from Xi'an, China, and its multimodal transportation through Kazakhstan's ports and the Caspian Sea highlights the collaborative efforts to enhance regional connectivity and trade.

The launch of the Transport Logistics Centre in China, aimed at increasing cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor route, signifies a strategic endeavor to attract new cargo volumes and promote economic development in the region. The integration of digital systems by Azerbaijani and Kazakh railways enhances transparency and tracking capabilities along the route, contributing to the corridor's attractiveness for international trade.

Ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents

On the same day, the ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents was held with the participation of Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Aliyev and Tokayev signed the "Decision of the First Meeting of High-Level Intergovernmental Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan."

Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Orkhan Mammadov and Chairman of the Board of the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gaukhar Buribayeva signed the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) and the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC."

Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ahmad Ismayilov and Director of the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Umarov signed the "Memorandum on Cooperation between the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republican State Institution Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic Rovshan Najaf and Chairman of the Management Board of National Company KazMunayGaz of the Republic of Kazakhstan Magzum Mirzagaliyev signed the "Memorandum on Strategic Cooperation between the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic and KazMunayGas National Company JSC in the field of purchase and sale of Kazakh oil" and the "Agreement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and KazMunayGas National Company JSC on the staged increase of volumes of Kazakh oil transported through the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding Ruslan Alikhanov and Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna JSC Nurlan Zhakupov signed the "Agreement on Strategic Partnership between the Azerbaijan Investment Holding and Samruk-Kazyna Joint-Stock Company."

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva signed the "Action Plan for 2024-2025 between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan".

Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bagdat Musin signed the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes."

Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev and Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek signed the "Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement on Cooperation of April 3, 2017, in the field of education between the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan".

Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev signed the "Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Diplomas of Specialization of Ship Crews between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

Kazakhstan's President Visits Fuzuli District, Signals Regional Cooperation

On March 12, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was on a state visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, arrived in the Fuzuli district.

Aliyev and Tokayev were briefed on the master plan for the city of Fuzuli and the construction project for the Central District Hospital in the city. The master plan for Fuzuli outlines the development of the city's administrative area, which is projected to cover 1943 hectares. By 2040, the population is expected to reach 50,000 people. The plan includes essential infrastructure such as a hospital, sports complex, Memorial Park, Victory Museum, eco-park, educational institutions, vocational school, and cultural facilities. The redevelopment is aimed at sustainable development and smart solutions, ensuring a healthy lifestyle for residents.

Regarding the construction project for the Central District Hospital, Health Minister Teymur Musayev provided details on the facilities and services. The hospital will span 4.5 hectares and have 180 beds. Construction will involve Kazakhstan's BI Group and Azerbaijani companies, with advanced medical equipment and departments covering various medical specialties, including outpatient services, radiology-diagnostic, and medical rehabilitation. Additionally, facilities such as the Hygiene and Epidemiology Center, Emergency Medical Station, and Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy Center will be included.