Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan reaffirm mutual resolve to deepen strategic partnership - press service

ASTANA. Oct 15 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have met on the sidelines of a Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia summit in Baku to discuss trade and economic relations, and reaffirmed their intention to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion, the Kazakh president's press service said on Thursday.

The presidents stressed the importance of launching the unique regional Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line project meant to strengthen the two countries' digital connectivity, diversify digital corridors between Europe and Asia, and open new opportunities for the whole region.

The leaders also discussed the prospects of expanding Kazakhstani energy exports via Azerbaijan and implementing joint industrial, energy, transport, logistics and agricultural projects.

They also noted the gradual strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties, broader cooperation on education and tourism, and the intensifying inter-parliamentary cooperation.

"Following the meeting, the two presidents reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further deepening the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan strategic partnership and consistently implementing the agreements reached across all areas of the bilateral agenda," the statement said.