Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih met here today with Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, within the third and final phase of his tour in the Central Asian countries. During the meeting, they discussed a number of joint issues in the fields of energy, industry and mineral resources. Minister Al-Falih conveyed greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince, stressing the Kingdom's desire to deepen the relationship with the brothers in Kazaktasan. Al-Falih said that The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques attaches great importance to deepening relations with brothers in Kazakhstan, and the relations have already reached a new stage after the visit that was paid by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the Kingdom last year. Minister Al-Falih stressed that Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources will work with the Kazakh side to maintain these distinguished relations for further develop through this visit. For his part, Kazakh Prime Minister welcomed Minister Al-Faleh and his accompanying delegation, stressing that the meeting of the leaderships of the two brotherly countries transfer relations to new levels. He pointed out that the kingdom and the people have special status among the Kazakhs. Kazakh Prime Minister confirmed that Kazakh government is looking forward to activating partnerships and agreements aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries in the areas of energy and industry, and strengthening the consensus between the two countries regarding the world oil markets. Later, Minister Al-Falih met with his Khzakh counterpart Kanat Bozumbayev, as they discussed in a meeting several issues including the extension of the production cut agreement between OPEC members and other producers. Khzakh Minister of Energy stated that Kazakhstan contributed to the high level commitment in the historic agreement concluded on December 10th between OPEC members and other producers from outside the Organization, which reflected positively on the market's stability. He pointed out that Saudi Aramco And Petrokazakhstan discuss opportunities for cooperation and investment opportunities inside and outside Kazakhstan, while King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy is looking at projects for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes with the competent authorities of Kazakhstan, as well as Maaden Company is looking for Mining projects with Kazatomprom company. Finelly, Minister Al-Falih met with Mayor of Astana Asset Issekeshev, Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek. At the end of his visit to Kazakhstan, Eng. Khaled Al-Falih said that the talks with the Kazakh side have been fruitful and resulted in more activation of the partnerships between the two countries. It reflects the interest of the leaders of the two countries.
