Astana. June 18. Kazakhstan Today - The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev met the President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick on Tuesday, the agency reports referring to the president's press service. According to the press service, "at the meeting joint projects of the World Bank and our country have been discussed. The leader of the state emphasized the World Bank's significant role in formation of Kazakhstan as an independent state." "Cooperation with the World Bank has always been at high level. From the beginning of mutual relations we have received 24 loans for more than $2 billion for financial system, government, and social sphere," N. Nazarbayev said opening the meeting. R. Zoellick emphasized the World Bank's interest in working with our Republic as a reliable and long-term partner. "Kazakhstan pays much attention to growth of competitiveness of the country and economy diversification. It defines strategy of our partnership and helps us to find optimum ways of cooperation," he noted. "Agricultural sector is of special interest." "In the light of global food crisis Kazakhstan has received a unique opportunity to develop its agricultural sector. We also highly estimate efforts of Kazakhstan on development of its social sphere, public health services, and education," R. Zoellick emphasized.