Kazakhstan and Bulgaria Intend to Expand Trade and Economic Cooperation

Within the framework of participation in the First Meeting of the High-Level Committee of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev, held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), Abbas Araghchi, as well as with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran for Economic Diplomacy, Saeed Abdol Rasoul Mohajer, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, the parties discussed pressing issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, paying special attention to regional security, economic partnership, and coordination within international organizations. The details of upcoming bilateral official visits at various levels were also reviewed.

At the meeting with Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohajer, trade and economic partnership issues were discussed. Kazakhstan and Iran confirmed their readiness to implement the Roadmap signed in December 2023 to increase bilateral trade, to develop transport and logistics capabilities, and enhance investment opportunities.

During the meeting with Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gharibabadi, the parties reviewed prospects for cooperation within the UN, CICA, SCO, OIC, ECO, and other international organizations. They also exchanged views on pressing global issues, including cooperation within the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Following the bilateral meetings, the parties agreed to continue active political dialogue and strengthen cooperation across the full spectrum of bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

 

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu received Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus Petros Nacouzis on the occasion of the beginning of his diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The meeting highlighted key aspects of the Kazakh-Cypriot cooperation across political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian domains. The parties also reviewed progress in implementing agreements previously reached between the foreign ministers of the two states.

The significance establishment of diplomatic missions of two countries in Astana and Nicosia was emphasized. A common opinion was expressed that this step would contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation across the entire spectrum of relations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister M.Nurtleu extended his best wishes to the Ambassador Nacouzis for a successful mission in Kazakhstan.

 

The Fourth Report of Kazakhstan on the fulfilment of human rights obligations and recommendations of the previous review was considered during the 48th session of the Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan consisted of senior officials of nine main state bodies that directly implement state policy and monitor the fulfillment of state’s human rights obligations, as well as members of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

More than 100 UN Member States delegations participated in the review. It demonstrated a genuine interest to an open and constructive dialogue with our country. The event was held in the format of an interactive discussion, during which UN Member States raised questions, made comments and recommendations for further improvement of our country's human rights system.

The Kazakhstan’s official delegation, led by Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev, addressed the UN Human Rights Council on a wide range of issues, focusing on the comprehensive reforms undertaken by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in the field of human rights and the rule of law, key legal initiatives on the elimination of torture and ill-treatment, peaceful assembly and freedom of association, ensuring the work of mass media and expanding the rights of journalists, combating human trafficking and domestic violence. In addition, the members of the delegation provided comprehensive information to questions raised by UN Member States, enriching the dialogue and sharing the good practices on human rights issues.

In his address to the Council, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko shared the country's experience in cooperating with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and UN treaty bodies. In particular, attention was drawn to the inter-agency mechanism established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to consider inquiries from UN special rapporteurs and treaty bodies on individual communications. The Kazakh diplomat also briefed on ongoing technical cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. According to human rights experts, this level of interaction underlines Kazakhstan's priorities in advancing the country’s human rights protection system and democratic processes.

Responding to the question on strengthening the dialogue between the Government and civil society, Mr. Vassilenko referred to the role of the consultative and advisory body "Human Dimension Dialogue Platform", which takes place regularly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He underlined the constructive nature of this platform, which contributed to the adoption of three human rights action plans and several legal acts related to wide range of political and social issues of the country.

During the dialogue with the Kazakhstan’s delegation, UN Member States expressed their support to the ambitious reforms and welcomed the concrete actions to strengthen fundamental human rights and freedoms. In particular, the international community commended the laws adopted in the areas of combating domestic violence, ensuring the safety of children, strengthening the mandate of the Commissioner for Human Rights and the National Preventive Mechanism, and social protection of the population, particularly, in the most vulnerable situations.

The UN Member States acknowledged the abolition of the death penalty, adoption of the Action Plan on Human Rights and the Rule of Law on December 8, 2023, and Kazakhstan's contribution to the work of the UN Human Rights Council during its 2022-2024 membership.

The Universal Periodic Review, as a unique mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, provides an opportunity for all Member States to have their human rights situation regularly reviewed.

The report of the UPR Working Group on Kazakhstan along with the UN Member States recommendations will be adopted by the UN HRC during its 59th session in June 2025.

 

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu received the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan Yasumasa Iijima, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the state and prospects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, paying special attention to the schedule of mutual visits and events at the highest and high levels planned for this year.

Given the significant volumes of bilateral trade and direct Japanese investments in Kazakhstan, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of further deepening trade and economic cooperation.

The importance of the Joint Commission of the governmental and private sectors of Kazakhstan and Japan on economic cooperation, which promotes mutually beneficial partnerships, was highlighted.

Yasumasa Iijima expressed full readiness for active interaction to develop bilateral relations.

Kazakh Foreign Minister M.Nurtleu wished the Ambassador of Japan success in his work in Kazakhstan.

 

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu received Ambassador of the Republic of Austria Andrea Bacher on the occasion of the beginning of her diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The meeting focused on the state and prospects of Kazakh-Austrian cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The parties noted the importance of the Kazakh-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Agricultural, Environmental, Industrial, Technical and Technological Cooperation and the Business Council in expanding mutually beneficial engagement and promoting business ties between the two countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Nurtleu wished the Austrian Ambassador success during her mission in Kazakhstan.Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu received Ambassador of the Republic of Austria Andrea Bacher on the occasion of the beginning of her diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan.

The meeting focused on the state and prospects of Kazakh-Austrian cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The parties noted the importance of the Kazakh-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Agricultural, Environmental, Industrial, Technical and Technological Cooperation and the Business Council in expanding mutually beneficial engagement and promoting business ties between the two countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Nurtleu wished the Austrian Ambassador success during her mission in Kazakhstan.

 

Ambassador-at-Large – Head of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Zhanibek Abdrashov, met with the Director of the United Nations Regional Office for Education, Science and Culture for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Amir Piric, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The parties summarized the results of cooperation in 2024, noting significant achievements in the implementation of projects addressing water issues and combat climate change. Special attention was paid to initiative of Kazakhstan to establish the United Nations Regional Center for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, which received support from all countries of the region and the UN Secretary-General.

The UNESCO representative emphasized the importance of further expansion of partner relations and noted the visit of Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay in 2023 as an important step in the development of bilateral cooperation.

Special attention was paid to the UNESCO Global Youth Forum, which will be held on February 19-20, 2025 in Almaty and will become a platform for exchanging views and developing solutions in the sphere of education, science and culture among the youth of the region.

 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov received copies of credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of Burkina Faso Aristide Rapougdoudba Ludovic Tapsoba, Laos Siphandone Oyboubaddi, New Zealand Mark Trainer, Denmark Jesper Vahr, Slovenia Alenka Suhadolnik in the Republic of Kazakhstan (concurrently), press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the conversation, the parties discussed the status and prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

Diplomats agreed to continue further cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

 

At the initiative of the European side, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko held an overview briefing for the heads of diplomatic missions of the European Union countries, accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the event, the Kazakh diplomat spoke about the foreign policy priorities of Kazakhstan, focusing on the course of further strengthening economic cooperation and expanding transport connectivity in Central Asia and between the region and the EU. He also informed the European Ambassadors about Kazakhstan’s relations with Russia, China and the United States.

Speaking about cooperation with the EU, Deputy Minister Vassilenko noted the high dynamics of the political dialogue and emphasized the importance of effectively implementing the agreements reached in such priority areas of cooperation as trade and investment, transport and logistics, green energy, critical raw materials, as well as on the issue of facilitating the EU visa regime for citizens of Kazakhstan.

Addressing the ambassadors of the EU countries on the dynamics of the country’s economic development and measures to further improve the investment climate, in line with the strategic guidelines of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, he called on European countries to invest in infrastructure projects, contributing to strengthening the connectivity between Kazakhstan and the EU as well as the sustainable development of the Central Asian region.

In addition, the parties discussed the schedule of upcoming high-level events, exchanging views on the most pressing issues on the international agenda.

At the end of the briefing, the participants commended the positive dynamics of cooperation on the bilateral and multilateral track and agreed to increase interaction on issues of mutual interest.

For reference: The European Union is the main trade and investment partner for Kazakhstan. Trade turnover in January-November this year amounted to 44.2 billion US dollars, increasing for 17.7% compared to the same period last year (exports from Kazakhstan - 34.6 billion dollars, imports to Kazakhstan - 9.6 billion dollars). The volume of European investments into the economy of Kazakhstan since 2005 amounted to 180 billion dollars. More than 3,000 companies with European capital operate in Kazakhstan.