On 18 October 2023, political consultations were held in Astana between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Kazakhstan at the level of Deputy Ministers
19 October 2023 News
On 18 October 2023, political consultations were held in Astana between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Kazakhstan at the level of Deputy Ministers. The Bulgarian delegation was led by Deputy Minister Tihomir Stoychev and the Kazakh delegation by Deputy Minister Roman Vasilenko. The main objective of the consultations was the resumption of the high-level political dialogue and the intensification of bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest, after the peculiar pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two sides noted the constructive political dialogue at the highest and highest levels, which has been developing steadily in a spirit of friendship, goodwill and pragmatism since Kazakhstan's independence in 1991.
Bulgaria sees Kazakhstan as its main partner in the Central Asian region. There is significant potential for deepening cooperation in the area of connectivity in all its dimensions - transport, energy, digital, as well as green transition and critical materials. Interest was expressed in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, the so-called "Trans-Caspian Corridor". the "Middle Corridor", which in the current geopolitical situation provides opportunities for increasing trade between Europe and Asia via the Caspian and Black Seas, including an increase in bilateral trade. An overview was made of trade and economic relations and investments, as well as cooperation in the fields of energy, science and education, culture, tourism, consular relations and others. The two sides expressed their expectation that the fifth meeting of the Bulgarian-Kazakh Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation would be held in Sofia, which would contribute to the development of bilateral relations.
On the basis of the review of the bilateral legal and treaty base, it was agreed to accelerate the coordination of a number of draft agreements and memorandums on cooperation in the field of information and telecommunication technologies, innovation, education, air transport, readmission of illegal residents, tourism, regulation of labour migration, etc.
They exchanged views on a number of issues on the international and regional agenda and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including through the effective implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the EU Strategy for Central Asia. The excellent cooperation within international organisations through mutual support of applications was also highlighted.
Within the framework of the visit to Astana, the Bulgarian delegation held meetings with the Deputy of the Lower House of the Kazakh Parliament and Chairman of the Friendship Group with Bulgaria, Mr. Abil, with the Deputy Minister of Economy, Mr. Abdikarimov, and with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. S. Ablaliyev.
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