Premier Giorgia Meloni said critical raw materials were among the issues she discussed with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev during a bilateral meeting in Astana on Friday.
“We discussed many things, for example, we talked about the issue of critical raw materials,” said Meloni, who also addressed the Astana International Forum on Friday.
“So not only oil and gas, energy infrastructure, all the areas where we already cooperate, including defense, where we have excellent collaboration.
“Thank you for this invitation and the warm welcome, and, above all, thank you for our very, very productive and wide-ranging discussions,” the premier said, addressing Tokayev.
“I want to tell you that I think you are one of the most pragmatic leaders I have ever met in my life.
“And it is very helpful to be able to talk to someone who really understands how complex things are in these difficult times.
“But even in these difficult times there is good news.
“And one of these items of good news is the extraordinary relationship between Italy and Kazakhstan, which we wish to further improve with this visit.
“Our relationship is excellent, we have said it many times, but there is always room for improvement”.
Tokayev stressed that Italy is Kazakhstan’s biggest European trade partner and its third-biggest overall.
He also promised preferential treatment for Italian companies in Kazakhstan.
“There are many opportunities to increase trade between the two countries and we appreciate the fact that many Italian companies are successfully operating on our market,” he said.
“We will provide excellent preferential opportunities for your businesses, whether large or small.
“And if any problems arise in our market, please let me know”.
Meloni started her visit of Central Asia by meeting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand on Thursday, when agreements for investments worth over three billion euros were signed.
Meloni is also having bilateral meetings with the presidents of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in Astana.
