During the ceremony, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Khachaturyan introduced their respective official delegations. The Chief of the Honor Guard Company presented a welcoming report, and the national anthems of both nations were played before the talks commenced.
In his opening remarks, Tokayev warmly welcomed Khachaturyan and expressed Kazakhstan’s interest in elevating Kazakh-Armenian cooperation to a new level. “I am confident that today’s agreements will strengthen our bilateral relations. We attach great importance to our regular high-level meetings, which serve as a solid foundation for our partnership. Kazakhstan values its friendly relations with Armenia and holds warm sentiments toward the Armenian people. For Kazakhstan, Armenia is a reliable and time-tested partner. Our peoples are united by strong ties of friendship, shared history, and similar cultural and humanitarian values. I am pleased to note the dynamic and progressive development of our bilateral relations across all areas,” Tokayev stated.
He also pointed out that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Armenia, which has laid a strong institutional foundation for their relations. Tokayev noted that cultural and humanitarian ties are also flourishing, referencing the “Days of the Kazakh Theater” held in Armenia last year and plans for a “Decade of Kazakhstan Culture” in Armenia next year. He mentioned that the “Days of Armenian Culture” would be ceremonially launched in Kazakhstan today.
In response, Khachaturyan expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation with Kazakhstan. “I am pleased to be here and impressed by the progress being made in Kazakhstan. I believe our friendship and relations will be long-lasting due to their historical roots. Kazakhstan is a reliable and friendly partner for us, and I want to emphasize our successfully developing economic relations,” Khachaturyan remarked.
The two leaders discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade and economy, transport and logistics, agriculture, finance, culture, humanitarian efforts, and digitalization. They also addressed current regional and international issues.
Tokayev confirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to continue hosting the Almaty platform for negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia aimed at reaching a peace treaty.
