Antigua and Barbuda and Kazakhstan now 'friends'

Ambassador Dr John Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda (left) and Ambassador Byrganym Aitimova of Kazakhstan sign diplomatic document in November 2007

UNITED NATIONS, New York, November 26, 2007 - Antigua and Barbuda and Kazakhstan has become "friends" their ambassadors to the United Nations have announced after signing documents establishing diplomatic relations.

Ambassador Dr John Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda and Ambassador Byrganym Aitimova of Kazakhstan said that as young independent states intent on nation-building, both countries have a lot to learn from each other, and can share valuable experiences.

"Our two countries can now begin the journey towards greater friendship and cooperation,” said Aitimova after she signed the document.

Kazakhstan will celebrate its sixteenth anniversary of independence on December 6.

The former Soviet Union state with a population of 15.3 million lies on the Caspian Sea and has an oil-based economy. It has the Caspian Sea region's largest recoverable crude oil reserves, and its production accounts for almost two-thirds of the estimated two million barrels per day presently being produced in the region.

It GDP growth has been in excess of 9% per year for the last six year and its international reserves and assets stand at US$24 billion at August 2006.