KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Umno and Kazakhstan's ruling party, Otan, signed an agreement Tuesday, paving the way for bilateral cooperation between the two parties.

The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad signed on behalf of Umno while Otan was represented by its acting chairman, Bakytzhan Zhumagulov.

Under the agreement, both parties will step up their existing friendship without interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries.

They will also exchange information and experiences on youth policies, international relations, trade development and party growth and also in other fields of mutual interest.

Umno and Otan also agreed to organise seminars and roundtable talks involving experts and leaders from both countries on pressing developments at the international level.

-- BERNAMA