OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2014. Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrisov met with Foreign Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida in the framework of the V Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the dialogue "Central Asia - Japan" in Bishkek.

During the meeting, the foreign ministers discussed topical issues of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats.

The two sides discussed prospects for continuity of high-level dialogue, trade, economic and investment cooperation and facilitation of mutual trips of citizens. Mr. Idrisov and F. Kishida noted the importance of the launch of Toyota Fortuner production in Kostanay, and expressed the hope that this will pave the way for other Japanese automakers. There were also noted favourable prospects for further development of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and development of rare-earth metals.

Speaking about the prospects for economic cooperation, F. Kishida said that Japan supports the reform policy of Kazakhstan aimed at achieving the objectives of the Strategy Kazakhstan 2050, noting the possibility of Japanese participation in development of small and medium-sized businesses.

The two heads of the foreign affairs agencies discussed the possibility of opening direct air links between Kazakhstan and Japan. They expressed the hope that the introduction of a visa-free regime in Kazakhstan unilaterally for the citizens of Japan and nine other countries starting from July 15 will increase the flow of tourists and investors in Kazakhstan. F. Kishida assured his colleague that, in turn, Japan considers the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Mr. Idrisov officially invited Japan to participate in the international exhibition "EXPO 2017" in Astana and expressed his hope that Japanese companies, known for their know-how and technologies in the field of new energy, will take active part in it.

The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in organizations such as the UN and UNESCO. The importance of recent inclusion of some objects of the Great Silk Road in Kazakhstan and Japan in the list of UNESCO World Heritage was also noted.

Cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including in the light of development of the country program for OECD was considered separately.

"Japan welcomes further development of cooperation with the prospect of Kazakhstan's accession to it," F. Kishida said.

Addressing the six foreign ministers for a multilateral meeting in Bishkek, Mr. Idrisov and F. Kishida noted the importance of continuing the dialogue "Central Asia plus Japan" as demanded mechanism for collective consideration and solving regional problems.