Kazakhstan to join WTO together with Russia

During the talks between the RK president Nursultan Nazarbayev and Swiss confederation vice-president Pascal Couchepin parties discussed Kazakhstan's admission to WTO, Swiss VP told journalists after an hour-long meeting with the RK president Nursultan Nazarbayev today.

Couchepin said, "Switzerland was preparing to join WTO for 17 years, but we are sure that Kazakhstan will be faster on this track". He expressed certainty that RK should join WTO "almost together with Russia". "This might happen in the near future, but a number of issues shall depend on how bilateral and multilateral talks develop", he said. The Swiss VP stressed that Astana's admission to WTO shall be a major impetus for foreign investors to come to Kazakhstan". VP also said that Swiss small and medium businesses intended to invest in RK economy, as "the republic has a great potential".

According to Couchepin the RK president expressed "a wish that Swiss small and medium businesses was present in Kazakhstan on a major scale". VP clarified that therefore "my delegation includes not only large, but also small and medium business representatives, and some of them intend to invest in Kazakhstan".

Opposing terrorism was also discussed at the meeting. "We were pleased to note that Kazakhstan expressed a straight position in opposing terrorism", Couchepin stressed. He said "Kazakhstan will play a major role in geopolitics thanks to its location and public stability". Generally Couchepin referred to his talks with the RK president as "the meeting of friends".