OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2014. The first official visit of Foreign Affairs Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov to the United Mexican States has begun.

On the first day of the visit, 18 September 2014, Mr. Idrissov held talks with his counterpart - Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, and Secretary (Minister) of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, took part in Mexican-Kazakh business forum and delivered lecture at the diplomatic Academy.

Heads of diplomatic departments of Kazakhstan and Mexico discussed full range of bilateral issues, as well as regional and global issues in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Mr. Kuribrena noted importance of the first in history of bilateral relations, official visit of Kazakh Minister to Mexico.

The parties noted powerful impetus given to bilateral relations by two meeting of heads of state - President of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev and President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto - held in the framework of International Economic Forum in Boao on April 2013 and the summit of "Big Twenty" in St. Petersburg in June 2013. It was stressed that current negotiations are consistent continuation of contacts at the highest level and are aimed at implementation of the agreements reached by the Presidents.

According to the Mexican diplomat, Kazakhstan and Mexico have much in common despite considerable distance. In particular, both countries are leaders in their regions, have large territories and natural resources, and have a similar geographical location, as well as general development priorities and close positions on international issues. As noted by Mr. Kuribrena, "Mexico considers Kazakhstan as a key partner in Central Asia and intends to fully develop mutually beneficial relationships".

In turn, Kazakh Minister noted that Astana attaches great importance to expansion of relations with countries of Latin America and the Caribbean Basin, as one of the most promising regions of the world. "In this context, we consider Mexico as a key partner in the region. Relations between Kazakhstan and Mexico are based on trust and mutual understanding, which creates a good basis for development of cooperation in all areas. I hope that this visit will bring our cooperation to a qualitatively new level," Mr. Idrissov said. Similarity of the two countries on global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was noted.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in the framework of international organizations. Kazakh Foreign Minister thanked his Mexican counterpart for support of Kazakhstan’s candidacy into non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018.