Blair, Nazarbayev discuss energy cooperation

LONDON, November 21 - Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair said he and his counterpart from Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed energy co-operation during bilateral talks here.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Blair said the two men also talked about broadening the relationship by linking up in financial services, particularly in equity markets.

Blair said Kazakhstan was becoming an increasingly important player in the region, not just because of its energy reserves.

'This relationship is obviously about trade and energy. We are looking now at how we co-operate in the financial services sector,' he said.

'The role of Kazakhstan is increasingly important because it demonstrates that, first, you have a country that, by being prepared to open up its economy, has achieved significant advance - and that's an important lesson,' he told reporters.

'And secondly, you have many different ethnic and religious groupings and they are living together and Kazakhstan is making progress as a whole, as a country, and that's an important lesson as well.'

'Particularly in this region, we need stable partners and I think there is a whole new and different relationship that Europe should have with Kazakhstan where we recognise that strategic importance.

'And I would like to see Britain be a leading partner of Kazakhstan in that endeavour, not just for trade and economic reasons but for political ones too.'

Nazarbayev said he would be spending tomorrow in the City of London where a joint UK/Kazakhstan economic forum is taking place. He added that he has brought a large number of Kazakh businessmen with him.

Nazarbayev is on a mission to make his country an economic powerhouse in the central Asian region.