By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Tuesday that strengthening cooperation with African countries is one of the main directions of his country's foreign policy.
Speaking at a news conference in Kazakhstan's capital Astana following a meeting with his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbe, Tokayev said his country eyes closer contact with the African continent.
Tokayev highlighted the potential of Kazakh-Togolese relations and said he and Gnassingbe instructed their cabinets to take measures to increase bilateral trade turnover.
"We noted that Kazakhstan has huge opportunities for exporting grain crops to Togo. As you know, the Islamic Organization for Food Security was established on the initiative of our country. I encouraged him (Gnassingbe) to become a member of this organization and use its potential," he said.
The Kazakh leader said Kazakhstan and Togo are rich in natural resources and have opportunities for joint work on their exploration, production and development.
Gnassingbe said Togo pays special attention to cooperation with Kazakhstan and is interested in developing strategic partnerships not only at the interregional but also at the continental level.
"I think Togo may be of interest to Kazakhstani investors as a country with a developed trade turnover with the countries of West Africa, their total population exceeds 300 million people," he said.
Gnassingbe welcomed Kazakhstan's proposal on agricultural cooperation and praised the country's achievements in digitalization, saying Togo could benefit from its experience in this area.
Next year, Kazakhstan and Togo celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.