Prospects of Strengthening Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Estonia Discussed in Tallinn

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu received the CEO of the Turkish conglomerate "Çalık Holding" Ahmet Çalık, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation, including potential investment projects in Kazakhstan. Particular attention was given to collaboration in mining, agro-industrial complex, energy, and logistics.

The company’s leadership expressed interest in expanding its presence in Kazakhstan. Plans include developing mining projects, constructing a plant for processing grain and oilseeds in the Kostanay region, and participating in gas industry projects.

Çalık Holding is one of Türkiye’s largest financial and industrial groups, operating in 34 countries. The company has a successful track record in implementing major infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects in Central Asia, the Balkans, and the Middle East.

 

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held talks with the Head of the International Relations Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Liu Jianchao, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to Kazakh-Chinese strategic cooperation, including the current state and prospects for interaction in political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

The interlocutors noted the positive dynamics of the political dialogue between the two countries. Special attention was paid to the practical implementation of agreements reached during meetings between the leaders of Kazakhstan and China, as well as the schedule of upcoming highest and high level events.

In addition, the parties discussed further expansion of trade, economic, investment, and transit-transport cooperation, as well as the development of collaboration in high technology and the increase of non-resource exports from Kazakhstan to China.

Minister Nurtleu also emphasized that China is Kazakhstan’s largest foreign trade partner. Last year, bilateral trade turnover reached a record high of 43.8 billion US dollars, and China has consistently ranked among Kazakhstan’s top five investors. Currently, the portfolio of Kazakh-Chinese investment projects includes 224 projects with a total value of approximately 66.4 billion US dollars, creating nearly 50,000 jobs.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues and agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the UN, SCO, CICA, and the Central Asia-China format.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Egypt, Askar Zhengis, presented credentials to the President of Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

As part of the official ceremony of the event, Ambassador Zhengis held a conversation with the Head of Egypt, during which he conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In addition, the Kazakh diplomat noted the high level of development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In this context, he emphasized that further deepening the partnership with Egypt is the most important area of his work in this position, underlining the significant potential in all areas of cooperation.

In turn, President El-Sisi wished the Kazakh Ambassador success in his new position and confirmed high interest in the further development and strengthening of cooperation between Cairo and Astana in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

 

A regular meeting of the subcommittee of the Consultative and Advisory Body "Human Dimension Dialogue Platform" (hereinafter - CAB "HDDP") was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting focused on reviewing the recommendations received following the presentation of Kazakhstan’s Fourth Periodic National Report within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (hereinafter - UPR), press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting of the CAB "HDDP," co-chaired by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alua Nadirkulova, and the Vice Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan, Botagoz Zhakselekova, the 294 recommendations received were presented, of which 56 were introduced for the first time by the member states of the UN Human Rights Council. These recommendations include continuing efforts to combat domestic violence, torture, ensuring inclusivity, strengthening human rights institutions and the National Preventive Mechanism, social protection of the population, especially the most vulnerable groups.

To implement the supported recommendations, it is planned to adopt an Interagency Plan for a four-year period, which will allow tracking the progress of the implementation of the adopted commitments and ensure their execution.

The participants agreed to structure the UPR recommendations in the following areas: ratification of international conventions and agreements; strengthening human rights mechanisms and cooperation with the UN; combating torture and ill-treatment; combating gender-based violence and protecting women; children’s rights; freedom of speech, media, and civil society; rights of LGBTI+ community and combating discrimination; rights of migrants, refugees, and stateless persons; economic, social, and cultural rights; access to education and healthcare; environmental protection and sustainable development; rights of persons with disabilities; combating corruption and judicial reform; rights of ethnic and religious minorities.

Overall, the agenda items were discussed in a constructive and open format. Representatives of state bodies and NGOs had the opportunity for direct exchange of views on further improving human rights protection mechanisms.

The UN Human Rights Council will approve the UPR Working Group report on Kazakhstan with recommendations from UN member states during its 59th session in June 2025.

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Mexican States, Almurat Turganbekov, presented credentials to the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The presentation ceremony took place at the official residence of the Mexican head of state - the National Palace.

As part of the official ceremony, Ambassador Turganbekov held a brief conversation with President Sheinbaum, during which the Mexican part received warm greetings and best wishes from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The Kazakh diplomat emphasized that Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Mexico as a key partner in Latin America.

In turn, President Sheinbaum confirmed Mexico’s serious interest in deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan.

The ceremony of presenting credentials was also attended by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Juan Ramon de la Fuente.

 

The first round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Albania took place in the capital of Albania. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko, Albanian - led by Deputy Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Endrit Yzeiraj, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The sides discussed the current and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, the development of political dialog, the strengthening of trade and economic ties, as well as the expansion of investment cooperation.

The parties noted the positive dynamics and mutual trust in Kazakhstan-Albania relations, further strengthened by the historic visit of Albanian President Bajram Begaj to Kazakhstan in September 2023 and the opening of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Tirana in 2024.

Deputy Minister Vassilenko highlighted Kazakhstan’s view of Albania as a valuable and reliable partner within the Balkan region. He also emphasized the importance of expanding the legal framework and strengthening cooperation between relevant institutions, including Kazakh Invest JSC and the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA).

In order to deepen economic cooperation, the Kazakh side proposed the establishment of an Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and a Business Council, allowing for the establishment of effective tools to expand bilateral interaction and attract new business initiatives.

In turn, Deputy Minister Yzeiraj underscored the significance of regular high-level interactions between the two countries’ foreign ministers, referencing their recent meetings on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council passed February 2024, the UN General Assembly last September, and other global UN events. He noted that the recent opening of the Kazakh Embassy in Albania was a crucial step in strengthening the full spectrum of relations between Astana and Tirana.

During the consultations, the parties also exchanged views on international and regional agendas, including cooperation within the UN, the OSCE, and other multilateral structures.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral dialogue through increased mutual visits at various levels in the near future. In this context, special attention was given to preparations for the upcoming visit of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to Kazakhstan in May this year to participate in the Astana International Forum.

At the conclusion of the negotiations, the diplomats agreed on a schedule of upcoming engagements to ensure the effective implementation of all agreements reached and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining working-level contacts to fully realize the potential of bilateral relations.

 

Consular consultations between Kazakhstan and Canada were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues, including visa processing, improvement of migration processes and prospects for cooperation in the consular sphere.

Special attention was paid to simplification of visa procedures of Canada for Kazakhstan’s citizens.

The Canadian side informed about the introduced innovations in the processing of Canadian visa, greatly facilitating the processes of consideration of applications. It was also noted that currently for the citizens of Kazakhstan the terms of consideration and issuance of visas are significantly reduced. Representatives of the Canadian side also expressed willingness to further deepen cooperation in the field of legal migration.

Following the consultations, the parties outlined concrete steps for further development of bilateral cooperation in the consular sphere and agreed to continue work in key and promising areas.

 

The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetullin, met with the Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Arthur Erken, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to Kazakhstan’s cooperation with the IOM, including joint efforts to prevent illegal migration and combat human trafficking.

First Deputy Minister Rakhmetullin expressed his appreciation for IOM’s support of the Almaty Process, which aims to address challenges associated with mixed migration flows in Central Asia.

The parties also exchanged views on preparations for the upcoming Ministerial Conference of the Almaty Process, which will take place in Baku on April 24, 2025. During this event, Kazakhstan will officially assume the chairmanship of the process.

The Kazakh diplomat emphasized that, as the chair of the Almaty Process, Kazakhstan intends to strengthen regional cooperation with IOM within the framework of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development, which is currently being established in Almaty.

The Almaty Process is a regional consultative platform on refugee protection and international migration covering Central Asia. It was established in 2013. The Secretariat is located in Almaty.