ASTANA -- Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev Wednesday (April 11) hailed his nation's growing ties with Uzbekistan, Kazinform.kz reported.
Nazarbayev made his remarks in Astana while receiving the credentials of four new ambassadors to Kazakhstan, including Uzbekistan's Saidikram Niyazkhojayev.
Progress in relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has led to a more than 30% growth in mutual trade, said Nazarbayev.
"The launch of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan this year, as well as the holding of the Year of Kazakhstan in fraternal Uzbekistan next year ... will give a powerful push to the whole spectrum of our co-operation," Nazarbayev said.
Nazarbayev praised Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's efforts to strengthen co-operation with neighbours and other countries.
Kazakhstan is a strategic and "time-tested partner" of Uzbekistan, said Niyazkhojayev in response.
"It is necessary to note the personal relationship of our two presidents, who in a short time opened a new page in our bilateral relations," he said.
