French, Kazakh presidents discuss bilateral economic cooperation, agree on further meetings

ASTANA. March 17 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a phone call that they are pleased with the progress of bilateral economic cooperation, specifically in the industrial and energy sectors, and spoke in favor of continuing joint efforts towards this, the Kazakh presidential press service said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The two leaders also underlined the importance of maintaining close personal contacts and agreed to hold further meetings to continue exchanging views on key bilateral and international matters," the statement said.

The phone call took place at France's initiative.

Macron congratulated Tokayev on the success of the nationwide referendum on the new constitution, it said. "Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the French president for his words of support and high praise for the referendum," the statement said.

The Kazakh constitutional referendum took place on March 15. The Central Elections Commission said that 87.15% of Kazakhstan's eligible voters supported the new constitution.