Thursday 14 November 2013

Kazakhstan and AU explore strengthening cooperation

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 14 November, 2013: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the African Union and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Berik Aryn, have discussed strengthening cooperation, between the AU, African countries and Kazakhstan.

H.E. Berik Aryn came to present his letters of credence to the AUC Chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Zuma, as the first ever appointed representative of Kazakhstan in Africa, with observer status to the AU.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma and H.E. Berik Aryn exchanged views on possibilities for cooperation between the AU Commission and Kazakhstan in the areas of agriculture, agro-processing, mining, training, energy, and industrialization, amongst others.

“The AU and African countries would like to cooperate and work with very dependable countries. We have priority areas such as agriculture, agro-processing, education, energy, industrialization with which we can cooperate with you. We want to grow beyond raw materials, increase our industrial base, build our infrastructure and better link our continent.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma said, congratulating the Ambassador on his appointment.

H.E. Aryn expressed the gratitude of his government for the Observer status to the AU, and took the opportunity to announce next month’s visit of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.