Securing 40 trade deals with Kazakhstan worth £3 billion was “not bad for one afternoon’s work”, David Cameron declared after talks with the country’s president.
The Prime Minister said he saw Britain and the oil and mineral-rich central Asian state as “partners in prosperity and partners in progress” as he oversaw a signing ceremony at the Foreign Office alongside Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Downing Street said Mr Cameron raised the issue of human rights with his counterpart, who was recently re-elected with 97.75% of the vote and is regarded by critics as an autocrat.
Mr Nazarbayev insisted he was committed to widespread reforms including ending corruption, improving the justice system and ensuring “an open, liberal government that is accountable to the people”.
