Azerbaijan`s Embassy in Astana has organized an official reception to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Participants in the event included an Azerbaijani delegation, Kazakh state and government officials, public and political figures, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani ambassador to Kazakhstan Rashad Mammadov hailed bilateral relations and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Azerbaijani President's Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov addressed the event.

He emphasized that over the past 25 years Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan managed not only to maintain long-term friendship, but also to elevate it to the level of strategic partnership. He underlined a crucial role of the national leader Heydar Aliyev and Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, as well as efforts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in this respect.

Ali Hasanov noted that the two countries actively cooperate and support each other within international and regional organizations.

Ali Hasanov said Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support Kazakhstan`s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018.

"Azerbaijan was also one of the first countries to support the initiative to hold an international specialized EXPO-2017 exhibition in Astana," he added.

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First Deputy Energy Minister of Kazakhstan Mahambet Dosmukhambetov emphasized that the two countries always supported each other on foreign policy issues. He pointed out great potential for expanding trade between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Mahambet Dosmukhambetov underlined the necessity of combining efforts to this end.

The event featured presentation of IRS-MYRA magazine in Kazakh language marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Ilaha Ahmadova

Special Correspondent