News.Az interviews Serik Primbetov, Kazakhstan's ambassador to Azerbaijan.
The second plenary session of the Turkic Parliamentary Assembly, where the chairmanship passed from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, ended in Astana recently. How are ties developing between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan?
I have to say that ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are developing successfully. We will probably reach the pre-crisis level of mutual trade between the two countries, including supplies of engineering and oil equipment from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan and grain, oil products and oil from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan.
The TurkPA session is a remarkable event. Milli Majlis speaker Ogtay Asadov spoke about the improving and developing cooperation with Turkic states. The chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Jogorku Kengesh and the speaker of the Kazakh parliament, Ural Muhamedjanov, also emphasized the need to broaden the borders of, I would say, a Turkic-speaking union. And in this connection, the TurkPA session in Astana voiced the hope that the interparliamentary organization would admit new states. The next sitting will be held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Thus, I think our relations will improve and I would like to mention one more point - other forms of cooperation started with alliances suggested by presidents, businessmen and so on, but this time an alliance has started by uniting the parliaments of Turkic-speaking states and this is very important, because the legislative base must come first and then the executive base will follow. Otherwise, pronouncements are made but the laws do not fit. This is why the reconciliation of our legislative bases is the top priority which will be followed by other processes.
Let’s switch to the legislative basis. What new agreements are in preparation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan?
I think no such steps are envisaged between our two countries, since we do not reconcile legislation, we develop trade and economic relations. Reconciliation of the legislative basis takes place within the TurkPA. While we mainly conclude agreements, including agreements in the sphere of oil products, agriculture, culture and so on.
What mutual visits can be expect in the near future?
The Milli Majlis chairman has just visited Kazakhstan. This was one of the most significant events in the life of our two states.
When will the next sitting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation be held and what will it discuss?
The next sitting of the intergovernmental commission will be held in Baku this year. The dates have yet to be set by its two co-chairs - Azerbaijan’s minister of industry and energy, Natig Aliyev, and Kazakhstan’s minister of oil and gas, Sauat Mynbayev, depending on their personal schedule. We are pleased with the work of the intergovernmental commission; it has stepped up in the past 18 months and is gaining steam.
What trade developments are expected?
I have already told you that this year we have reduced the gap triggered by the crisis of 2008. We have already come closer to $400m. I think we will reach the pre-crisis level of trade in about 12 to 18 months.
Let’s switch to the legislative basis. What new agreements are in preparation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan?
I think no such steps are envisaged between our two countries, since we do not reconcile legislation, we develop trade and economic relations. Reconciliation of the legislative basis takes place within the TurkPA. While we mainly conclude agreements, including agreements in the sphere of oil products, agriculture, culture and so on.
What mutual visits can be expect in the near future?
The Milli Majlis chairman has just visited Kazakhstan. This was one of the most significant events in the life of our two states.
When will the next sitting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation be held and what will it discuss?
The next sitting of the intergovernmental commission will be held in Baku this year. The dates have yet to be set by its two co-chairs - Azerbaijan’s minister of industry and energy, Natig Aliyev, and Kazakhstan’s minister of oil and gas, Sauat Mynbayev, depending on their personal schedule. We are pleased with the work of the intergovernmental commission; it has stepped up in the past 18 months and is gaining steam.
What trade developments are expected?
I have already told you that this year we have reduced the gap triggered by the crisis of 2008. We have already come closer to $400m. I think we will reach the pre-crisis level of trade in about 12 to 18 months.
What are your expectations for oil and gas cooperation and Kazakh grain sales to Azerbaijan?
There are certainly prospects in the oil and oil and gas sphere. As for grain, as far as I know, Azerbaijan will import more grain from Kazakhstan, since our grain is of high quality, with a high gluten content, which is why I think we will step up cooperation this year.
Did Kazakhstan's grain supplies to Azerbaijan reach the 1m tonne level in 2010?
There are certainly prospects in the oil and oil and gas sphere. As for grain, as far as I know, Azerbaijan will import more grain from Kazakhstan, since our grain is of high quality, with a high gluten content, which is why I think we will step up cooperation this year.
Did Kazakhstan's grain supplies to Azerbaijan reach the 1m tonne level in 2010?
Yes, we quadrupled supplies compared to 2009. We supplied almost one million tonnes of grain.
Is another increase expected now?
It depends on Azerbaijan’s demand.
What volumes of grain sales have been agreed in 2011?
No agreement has been reached yet. The business structures dealing with grain export and import are working on this issue.
Is another increase expected now?
It depends on Azerbaijan’s demand.
What volumes of grain sales have been agreed in 2011?
No agreement has been reached yet. The business structures dealing with grain export and import are working on this issue.
What are your expectations for the development of the oil and gas sector between Azerbaijani and Kazakh companies?
SOCAR and KazMunayGaz have already established cooperation in this sphere.
Is it expected to grow?
Everything depends on price policy. It depends not only on oil prices but also tariffs. The lower the tariffs, the greater volume of oil will be sent.
SOCAR and KazMunayGaz have already established cooperation in this sphere.
Is it expected to grow?
Everything depends on price policy. It depends not only on oil prices but also tariffs. The lower the tariffs, the greater volume of oil will be sent.
Source: http://www.news.az
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire