The US is one of key partners of Kazakhstan, MFA

On this day in 1948, the United Nations launched its first peacekeeping operation in the Middle East, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

Over the past 77 years, the UN has conducted 71 missions involving more than 2 million peacekeepers from 150 countries. Currently, over 80,000 personnel from 121 nations serve in 12 ongoing UN peacekeeping operations.

Kazakhstan’s engagement in UN peacekeeping began in 2014, when the first Kazakh serviceman was deployed as a military observer to the UN Mission in Western Sahara.

Today, 158 Kazakh peacekeepers serve in six UN missions. A landmark achievement was the deployment in March 2024 of the first national contingent - comprising 139 troops - to the UN mission in the Golan Heights.

Kazakhstan’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations reflects its commitment to supporting global efforts in maintaining peace and security, while also contributing to the enhancement of the country’s international standing.

 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece, Thanos Dokos. The visit of the Greek representative to the capital of Kazakhstan takes place within the framework of his participation in the Astana International Forum, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation. Special attention was given to deepening political dialogue and enhancing trade and economic relations.

Deputy Minister Vassilenko emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Kazakh-Greek partnership, noting the friendly nature of relations between the two countries. He expressed confidence in the significant potential for expanding cooperation, particularly in the context of Kazakhstan’s engagement with the European Union, in which Greece plays an important role.

On his part, Advisor Dokos reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to developing a multifaceted dialogue with Kazakhstan. He highlighted Athens’ interest in intensifying economic ties, improving transport connectivity, and expanding investment cooperation.

The sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues. In this context, they identified promising opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships within the framework of cooperation with the Central Asian countries.

At the conclusion, both parties expressed their mutual commitment to further strengthening cooperation and agreed to maintain regular contacts, including through the foreign ministries of the two countries.

 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Republic of Kazakhstan (with residence in Moscow) Jesper Vahr, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including the development of political dialogue, trade, economic and investment partnership, as well as promoting close people-to-people ties.

The Kazakh Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, energy, green technologies, transport and logistics.

Vassilenko invited Danish companies to actively participate in investment projects in Kazakhstan.

Following the meeting, the sides expressed their readiness to continue active dialogue.

For reference: In 2024, the trade between Kazakhstan and Denmark reached 161 million US dollars (exports - 34.9 million, imports - 126.1 million). The gross inflow of investment from Denmark to Kazakhstan since 2005 has amounted to over 300 million dollars. There are 30 enterprises with the participation of Danish capital registered in Kazakhstan, including such companies as Carlsberg Group, Maersk Oil, Novo Nordisk and others.

 

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held meetings with the leadership of Hungary’s leading companies, including CEO of UBM Group Péter Horváth, Chairman of the Board of BDPST Group István Tiborcz, and Chairman of the Board of 4iG Plc. Gellért Jászai, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

During the meetings, the sides discussed prospects for expanding investment cooperation and implementing joint projects in digitalization, transport logistics, the agro-industrial complex, hospitality, and sustainable technologies. The Kazakh side reaffirmed its openness to international partnerships and expressed readiness to provide comprehensive support at all stages of cooperation.

With UBM Group, the discussion focused on preparations for implementing an agro-industrial investment project involving the construction of production facilities in the Almaty, Kostanay, and Karaganda regions. The initial investment volume is expected to reach approximately 64 million US dollars. The project will include the establishment of a laboratory, a training center, and logistics infrastructure.

At the meeting with BDPST Group, plans for launching long-term projects in logistics, hospitality, and digital finance were covered. Special attention was given to the initiative to create a joint logistics hub with the participation of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy NC JSC.

During negotiations with 4iG Plc., the parties exchanged views on the prospects of technological cooperation in satellite communications, remote sensing, and the development of digital infrastructure. Kazakhstan expressed interest in localizing the assembly of satellite platforms.

 

On the eve of the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu took part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OTS member states, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

The participants discussed pressing issues of the international agenda, emphasizing the importance of further enhancing cooperation in transport, logistics, communications, and combating climate change.

The Kazakh Foreign Minister highlighted the achievements and prospects of the OTS’s member states in the areas of trade, investment, transport, and agriculture, and outlined promising areas for mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization.

The preparations for the upcoming OTS Summit were reviewed and the draft documents expected to be signed during the event were approved.

It is noteworthy that the event is being held for the first time in the territory of an observer state located in Europe.

The Organization of Turkic States was established in 2009 at the initiative of Kazakhstan. Its current members are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Hungary and Turkmenistan hold observer status.

 

The Kazakh-German cooperation in the dual education sphere and implementation of advanced technologies in water sector was discussed on Tuesday in Astana at the 43rd meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko noted that the topics brought up for discussion were important and relevant for Kazakhstan.

Participants of the first panel session titled "The Year of Working Professions in Kazakhstan: Bilateral Cooperation in Dual Education Sphere" reviewed opportunities for Germany’s participation in methodological support of the process of improving this education model.

The Kazakh Deputy Minister highlighted practical results of cooperation with German partners, including the International Dual Education Centre that is being established together with the Erfurt Education Centre on the basis of the Allur automobile plant in Kostanai.

According to Vice Minister of Education of Kazakhstan Edil Ospan, the dual education has been implemented so far in 552 colleges in Kazakhstan with the participation of over 18,000 enterprises, covering over 108,000 people.

Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany Alexander Hochradel expressed the Ministry’s readiness to support Kazakhstan in developing dual education and brining colleges and enterprises closer together.

The second panel session was devoted to the theme of "Effective Management of Water Resources: Experience and Prospects from Germany and Kazakhstan".

Against the backdrop of the global climate change, this objective has gained critical importance for security and sustainable development of Central Asia.

German companies and experts have advanced technologies and unique experience in water sector and can make a significant contribution to the modernization of water infrastructure and implementation of engineering projects in Kazakhstan.

For instance, cooperation is being promoted with the German Water Partnership that is the biggest German sectoral association, uniting over 300 companies from various waterworks sectors.

More than 100 representatives of government bodies, industry associations, heads of colleges, businessmen and experts participated in the meeting of the Berlin Eurasia Club.

 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov, held a meeting with David Manzini, President of PepsiCo for Russia, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The parties discussed the status of ongoing projects in Kazakhstan and future investment prospects, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

A key focus of the meeting was the construction of a salty snacks plant in the Almaty region. The first phase of the project is being implemented with an initial investment of 160 million US dollars. During the meeting, PepsiCo announced its decision to double its total investment by launching the second phase of the project. As a result, up to 900 new jobs will be created, and the plant’s production capacity will triple. Once fully operational, the facility will process up to 210,000 tons of potatoes annually and produce approximately 70,000 tons of finished products. The plant will become a central hub in PepsiCo’s regional supply chain, serving both domestic demand and export markets across Central Asia. Construction work for the first phase is currently underway.

David Manzini emphasized that the project is one of PepsiCo’s largest investments and its first of this scale in Central Asia. He noted that contracts have already been signed with 15 Kazakh farmers for potato supply, reflecting the company’s strategy of sourcing locally. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

PepsiCo also confirmed its commitment to the second phase, aimed at tripling production. Localizing the raw material base is a key strategic goal - the company plans to fully switch to locally grown chip-grade potatoes by 2035 and is actively involving Kazakh farmers in the supply chain.

Deputy Minister Kuantyrov highlighted the importance of foreign investment in the development of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial and food processing sectors: "We see PepsiCo’s projects as a significant contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s processing industry. Increasing value-added production, advancing contract farming, and developing export-ready products align with our national strategic priorities. The government is ready to provide comprehensive support for the continued implementation of the company’s investment plans."

David Manzini emphasized the role of government support: "Launching a greenfield project of this scale in such a short timeframe is only possible with strong support from national and local authorities, and we deeply appreciate it. Kazakhstan is creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, which enabled our decision to significantly expand our investment and project scope. I would also like to highlight the professional support provided by Kazakh Invest, which plays a key role in coordinating the project and addressing ongoing matters."

The parties agreed to maintain close cooperation to ensure successful implementation of the current project and explore future areas of collaboration.

 

Kazakhstan’s tourism opportunities were presented in the capital of South Korea as part of an event dedicated to the launch of SCAT Airlines’ direct flight on the Shymkent - Seoul route, scheduled for May 29, 2025. The event brought together more than 70 leading Korean tour operators and media representatives, highlighting the growing interest in expanding tourism and business exchanges between the two countries, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.

With the launch of this route, Kazakhstan and Korea will be connected by 15 direct flights per week, including flights from Astana and Almaty. The new connection marks an important milestone in strengthening business cooperation and enhancing cultural and humanitarian ties between the two nations.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to South Korea Nurgali Arystanov emphasized the significance of the new route in bringing the peoples of both countries closer together: "This is an important milestone in the development of direct contacts between the citizens of the two countries. A direct flight from Shymkent, a city rich in cultural and historical heritage, opens new opportunities for tourists, students, and entrepreneurs. We are observing a steady 12% annual growth in tourist flow, and we expect this route to become another catalyst for tourism development, business cooperation, and people-to-people exchange."

The Ambassador also underlined Kazakhstan’s tourism appeal, noting that the country is famous for six sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan, the Tamgaly Petroglyphs, and the Saryarka ecosystem. He encouraged tour operators to develop new attractive travel packages that would allow visitors to discover the cultural richness and natural diversity of Kazakhstan.

The Kazakh diplomat stressed the political support provided by Kazakhstan’s leadership for the development of the tourism sector and highlighted that, under the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the country is implementing a strategy for sustainable tourism as one of the pillars of economic growth and international promotion of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage.

On tourism cooperation, the Ambassador listed key events of 2025 with the participation of Kazakh and Korean tour operators and companies, including the Kazakhstan International Tourism Fair (KITF, April 23-25), the Astana International Forum (May 29-30), Kazakhstan Tourism Road Show (Seoul, June), and the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF-2025, June 5-8).

The Ambassador also paid special attention to the economic dimension of bilateral cooperation, noting that by the end of 2024, the Republic of Korea ranked among the top three foreign investors in Kazakhstan’s economy.

In turn, SCAT’s representative in Korea, Andrey Tsygankov, stated: "Shymkent is the third-largest city in Kazakhstan, a rapidly developing metropolis that recently opened a modern airport capable of serving up to 2 million passengers per year."

The event featured presentation of Kazakhstan’s tourism potential, with a particular focus on Shymkent. Attendees received tourism brochures and watched promotional videos showcasing the country’s natural beauty and cultural attractions, including "Born Bold".