Visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi started a visit on Friday to Kazakhstan by visiting the presidential palace, spokesman for the Presidency Alaa Youssef said. 

He was received by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Sisi held a bilateral meeting with Nazarbayev. The meeting was attended by Egyptian and Kazakh ministers, Youssef added.

Nazarbayev welcomed Sisi's visit, his first to Kazakhstan and Central Asia, noting that it coincides with the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence.

The Kazakh President also voiced Kazakhstan's appreciation and pride of its bilateral ties with Egypt, one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan after its independence in 1991, Youssef pointed out.

Nazarbayev underlined his country's keenness to boost Egyptian-Kazakh ties in political, economic, educational, and cultural spheres.

He also hailed Sisi's efforts, wisdom and role in bringing back security and stability of Egypt, the central pillar of the Middle East in addition to Egypt's prominent role in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The Kazakh President also lauded Sisi's speech before the House of Representatives, stressing that he followed up the sustainable development strategy "Egypt's Vision 2030" which reflects Egypt's efforts to push the comprehensive development forward.

Nazarbayev also highlighted the achievement reached in Egypt in a short period of time.

For his part, President Sisi thanked Nazarbayev for his invitation to visit the country, adding that he was keen to accept it, Youssef pointed out.

He also congratulated his Kazakh counterpart on the 25th anniversary of the nation's independence.

Sisi lauded economic growth in Kazakhstan as well as Kazakh support for the Egyptian' free will, Youssef added.

Sisi reviewed the latest developments in Egypt over the past few years, pointing out that Egyptian people managed to preserve the nation's moderate identity. 

He noted that Egyptian national powers agreed upon the road-map, which was wrapped up with the election of the new House of Representatives.

Sisi said Egypt is looking forward to making good use of Kazakhstan's step to establish the new capital of Astana, in the light of Egypt's willingness to set up a new administrative capital according to the highest international standards. 

Youssef noted that the two presidents review the possibility of carrying out a number of joint agricultural projects after Egypt joined the Food Security Organization which is affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and was initially established upon an initiative from Nazarbayev.

Sisi also stressed Egypt's keenness to increase the number of Kazakh tourists in Egypt, welcoming the start of direct flights between Astana and Sharm el Sheikh as of March.

Youssef added that the meeting also tackled ways of joint cooperation with regard to the peaceful use of nuclear power.

The two presidents agreed upon the importance of fostering joint cooperation in international arenas as well as continuing efforts to combat terrorism, extremism and the phenomenon of Islamophobia.

Meanwhile, Sisi welcomed Nazarbayev's initiative to hold the conference entitled "Religions against Terrorism" as an important step in promoting dialogue between religions and cultures. 

Sisi invited Nazarbayev to visit Egypt in 2017 to mark the 25th anniversary of establishing Egyptian-Kazakh diplomatic ties, which was welcomed by Nazarbayev and vowed to accept it, Youssef concluded.

Source: MENA