Astana: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, the US State Department said.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio also held talks with Erzhan Kazykhan, Kazakhstan's special representative for negotiations with the US. The discussions focused on Kazakhstan's role in peacemaking and regional initiatives, as well as exploring 'ways to expand economic ties between the United States and Kazakhstan.'

Rubio 'welcomed Kazakhstan's active participation in the C5+1 diplomatic platform and leadership in promoting regional cooperation,' the statement said. This refers to the US approach to jointly engage all five Central Asian governments-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

'The United States remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and looks forward to further strengthening the U.S.-Kazakhstan strategic partnership,' it added.