His Majesty King Abdullah returned home on Friday after concluding a two-day visit to Kazakhstan, where he held talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on means to bolster bilateral ties, especially in the economic and commercial fields.

Discussions during the visit also covered several issues of concern to both countries as well as regional and international issues.

The two leaders stressed the need to build on the agreements signed between the two countries to increase the volume of trade.

Several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to expand bilateral economic and commercial relations, including one on animal and plant protection and quarantine, and another on boosting cooperation in the transportation sector.

The two sides also initialed an agreement in the field of air transport, under which Royal Jordanian and Air Astana will be adopted as the official carriers between Amman and Astana.

An accord on tourism cooperation was signed with the Kazakh tourism and sports ministry, while Jordan and Kazakhstan will also set up a joint business council.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khalid Touqan and his Kazakh counterpart Zhanseit Tuymebayev signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in areas of training, higher education, research, and the exchange of grants and expertise.

During his two-day visit to the central Asian country, King Abdullah also met with Prime Minister Karim Masimov on ways to bolster cooperation between Amman and Astana on all levels.

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit, Kazakhstan described the King's visit as important in developing bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction that the two countries are embarking on a modern, forward-looking relationship.

The two countries agreed to open new prospects of cooperation in the economic field and provide facilities to the private sector in both countries to implement joint ventures.

They exchanged views on providing Jordan with Kazakh wheat and a joint committee was formed to study the possibility, the statement said. Earlier Friday, King Abdullah visited a memorial in Astana where he laid wreaths and planted a tree.

The King also visited the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana, a 77-metre-high pyramid built as a global centre for religious understanding, renunciation of violence and the promotion of faith and human equality.

On Thursday, President Nursultan held a dinner banquet in honor of the King and the accompanying delegation which included HRH Prince Ali, Director of the King's Office Bassem Awadallah and several ministers.

In his address at the banquet, King Abdullah said the partnership the two countries started to build will lead to opportunities and privileges the two nations' peoples are looking for.

The Jordan Times