## Austria to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on Wednesday began an official visit to Kazakhstan. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Head of State of Kazakhstan, received the distinguished guest at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Astana, the capital of the country. Van der Bellen's visit to Kazakhstan is his first since taking office in 2017. It symbolizes the growing importance that Austria places on its relations with Kazakhstan, both bilaterally and regionally. The two leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, and security. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in Ukraine. Following the talks, Tokayev and Van der Bellen signed a joint statement on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The statement covers a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The visit of the Austrian Federal President to Kazakhstan is a clear sign of the growing partnership between the two countries, and will help to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the years to come.
