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The officials met in Astana today and discussed bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the perspectives of the EU-Kazakhstan relations, as well as international political matters.

The parties commended the friendly and constructive relations between both countries. Pildegovics underscored that Latvia is a good partner and friend to Kazakhstan, and was the first EU country that ratified the EU-Kakzakhstan partnership and cooperation agreement. Latvia is also ready to share its experience on preparation for membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Kazakhstan praised Latvia’s engagement in promoting cooperation between the EU and Central Asia.

Pildegovics noted the successful cooperation between both countries in education, as more and more students choose to study in Latvia, and contacts among universities of both countries are expanding. He also said that Kazakhstan is a significant partner in development of transport corridors and trade flows between Europe and Asia.

Pildegovics is in Astana, accompanying President Raimonds Vejonis. As reported, Astana Expo 2017 opened in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana on June 10, and Latvia is represented in the international fair with its own stand. The expo's theme is "Future Energy", and it is aimed to concentrate on the future of energy and on innovative and practical energy solutions and their impacts. The pavilion of Latvia is called “Energy in Our Nature”. Latvia demonstrates advantages of its geographical location and ways to create added value with Latvian companies and high-level experts in various areas.

LETA also reported that Kazakhstan’s rail company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has offered Latvia to develop a joint logistics center at the Chinese-Kazakh border, KTZ CEO Kanat Alpysbayev said while attending Transit and Logistics Week at Astana Expo 2017 today.