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ITALY-KAZAKHSTAN: GOOD RELATIONS, IMPROVEMENT KASHGAN

AGI - October 9, 2007 Italy and Kazakhstan have a good relation and want more political and economical cooperation. Romano Prodi and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev agree: despite the difficult negotiations between Astana and the consortium under Eni regarding Kashagan, in which progress seems to be made, the climate is positive. Prodi, accompanied by Minister Emma Bonino and a delegation of 200 businessmen led by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, said he is proud he was the first to recognise Kazakhstan after the end of the Soviet Union. An official recognition, conferred during his first government, which "has led to its first and abundant results". Now Italy, said Nazarbayev, is Astana's second trade partner. But the relations are not only economic: Italy will support Kazakhstan for the presidency of the OECD, in exchange Kazakhstan supports Milan as seat for the Expo 2015. Nazarbayev then guaranteed his yes to Italy's proposal for a moratorium on the death penalty and Prodi guaranteed that, if Kazakhstan keeps its market open, he will make an effort for the country becoming part of the WTO. Prodi explained these close relations geographically: Kazakhstan has good connections with Russia and China, countries Italy wants closer relations with. The premier assured he wants to support more contact with the EU: "The relation between EU and Central Asia is essential for balance and future peace". In this political context economy plays an important role. At present trade relations are very good, but the objective is to "diversify". Prodi proposed construction, engineering, agriculture, technology, consumption goods and tourism. The premier underlined the central role of Italian small and medium-sized business "Kazakhstan needs". Nazarbayev claimed that "the relations between our countries are developing in a dynamic way. Trade is seven times the amount of five years ago. Italy from Kazakhstan imports wheat, over a million ton, and has invested more than a billion dollars in the country. We haven't reached the full potential of our countries and we hope to continue with: road construction, cars, tourism, gas pumping stations". And then to Italian-Kazakh workgroups for industrial development".

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