OREANDA-NEWS. May 30, 2011. Belarus and Kazakhstan have agreed to work together in oil processing, industrial manufacturing and investments. These topics were the focus of attention of the presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan, Alexander Lukashenko and Nursultan Nazarbayev, during the Belarusian Leader's official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Alexander Lukashenko and Nursultan Nazarbayev held talks in a narrow circle of participants and after that with broader participation and discussed the prospects of co-operation between the two countries. The meetings took place in a warm atmosphere of friendship and trust. The President of Belarus highlighted the fact that it was Nursultan Nazarbayev who was the first to send his congratulations to Alexander Lukashenko on his winning the presidential elections in Belarus in December 2010.

At the end of the talks, the presidents signed a joint statement in which they tasked the governments of Belarus and Kazakhstan to focus their efforts on the priority co-operation areas in the economy, science, technology and humanitarian sphere and instructed them to prepare a trade and economic interaction programme for the years 2012-2013 and adopt this programme at the next session of the Belarusian-Kazakh intergovernmental commission for trade and economic co-operation.

Among the priority areas of interaction is development of the energy dialogue between Belarus and Kazakhstan, including the preparation of an intergovernmental agreement on the deliveries of oil and oil products to Belarus.

After the talks, the presidents made a statement for the press.

"As a result of our talks today, we have touched upon new areas for co-operation," the Belarusian Leader said. One of the most promising areas of co-operation in oil processing. "We are very much interested in this. We are ready to promote these products and goods made from them in your interests to European markets," said Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus is prepared to make the most favourable business conditions for businessmen from Kazakhstan. "We are ready to create the best possible conditions for you, provide the best warehouses for you; and we have a good transport system in Belarus," said the Head of State. "You may count on support from Belarus."

Belarus can also propose a whole range of projects in petro-chemistry. "I am convinced that you know this topic very well, understand it, and in this respect you may count on us," the President of Belarus said to Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Alexander Lukashenko said that the Single Economic Space, which is currently in the pipeline, means great opportunities for Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, but it also means obligations and commitments. "We strongly hope that there will be no artificial obstacles within the Single Economic Space, which are now in place, concerning the deliveries of oil and oil products to Belarus and further processing of those, as well as other products," said the President of Belarus.
Nursultan Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan was interested in participating in the privatization of a number of Belarusian companies.