America News Agency

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev.

Tajani said the meeting addressed strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries, the war in Ukraine, energy security and strategic policies toward Central Asia.

Tajani said Kazakhstan is a very important partner for Italy and that they want to further develop economic relations between the two countries. In this context, he said a new Business Forum is planned to increase exports by Italian and Kazakh companies.

The war in Ukraine was also discussed during the meeting. Tajani stressed that the fighting must end as soon as possible.

Tajani and Kosherbayev discussed energy security as well as the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted transport of Kazakh oil through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

Tajani said continuity of oil flows is vital both for regional stability and for Europe’s energy supply security. He noted that the issue has become even more important at a time when tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are increasing risks to energy security.

Emphasizing the strategic importance Italy attaches to Central Asia, Tajani announced that they want to organize a new ministerial meeting with the five countries of the region in the near future.

Tajani said the initiative is part of Italy’s goal of further developing its political, economic and energy relations with Central Asian countries.